What is Denotation and Connotation??????

A Red, Red Rose
(Robert Burns)

Oh my luve is like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
Oh my luve is like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!



DENOTATION vs CONNOTATION MEANING

a. Denotation meaning
Denotation as in poetry is the literal meaning of a word (the "dictionary definition").
b. Connotation meaning
Connotation is the suggestive meaning of a word or the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word.

DISCUSSION
DENOTATION & CONNOTATION IN ROBERT BURN’S A RED, RED ROSE:

1) Line 1
Oh my luve is like a red, red rose,
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
my luve A deep affection or fondness It is refers to human being (boy/girl) as a beloved one.
a red, red rose, Sweet-smiling flower that grows on bush and usually have thorn It is refers to inanimate object (‘poet’s lover’ who is very beautiful and youthful).

2) Line 2
That's newly sprung in June:
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
newly sprung The season which coming between winter and summer, in which plants begin to grow It is refers to the time when it’s as the time to start newly hoping/raise a beautiful moment in love.

3) Line 3
Oh my luve is like the melodie,
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
my luve A deep affection or fondness It is refers to human being (boy/girl) as a beloved one.
the melodie, A piece of song or music with clear or simple tune/the arrangement of musical notes in a pleasant or ordered way It is refers to something/somebody who is very beautiful, has an inner beauty, and pleasant in her way.

4) Line 4
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
play'd in tune It is refers to the poet’s lover who is very polite when the poet’s lover is speaking.

5) Line 5
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
fair art thou,
my bonie lass,

6) Line 6
So deep in luve am I;
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
So deep The condition which is extending a long way from top to bottom It is refers to the poet’s feeling to his/her lover is deepest in love/ in love very much.

7) Line 7
And I will luve thee still, my dear,

8) Line 8
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
a' the seas gang dry It is refers to the bad condition which will be happened, or the ever lasting love.

9) Line 9
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

10) Line 10
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
melt wi' the sun; It is refers to how deepest the poet’s feeling to his/her lover.

11) Line 11
And I will luve thee still, my dear,

12) Line 12
While the sands o' life shall run.
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
sands o' life Very small fine grains of rock

13) Line 13
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
fare thee weel, Saying goodbye for a moment It is refers to the promise to return again

14) Line 14
And fare thee weel a while!
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
fare thee weel Saying goodbye for a moment in a journey. It is refers to the promise to return again

15) Line 15
And I will come again, my luve,
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
my luve, A deep affection or fondness It is refers to human being (boy/girl) as a beloved one

16) Line 16
Tho' it were ten thousand mile!
Denotation Meaning Connotation Meaning
it were ten thousand mile! A far/long distance around 1000 mile It is refers to the ever lasting love until of time and the changes that result