Poetry

Tam O'Shanter

Summary of the poem:

• "Tam O'Shanter" is a mock epic narrative poem by Robert Burns.
• It tells the story of Tam, a loveable but reckless drunkard, who encounters witches and warlocks during a late-night ride on his horse, Meg.
• The poem reflects folk beliefs of Burns' time and combines humour, horror, and satire.

Inspiration for the poem:

• Burns drew inspiration from Scottish folk tales and ballads, as well as the rich oral storytelling tradition of Lowland Scotland.
• He composed much of the poem in his head while walking along the banks of the River Nith near Dumfries.

Form of the poem:

• The poem is written in iambic tetrameters, consisting of lines with eight or nine syllables and usually four stressed syllables per line.
• It is composed in rhyming couplets (a/a, b/b, c/c, and so on), creating a lively and pacy rhythm.

Summary of each stanza:

Section 1: The Opening Scene

• In the first stanza, the poem sets the scene in Ayr at the end of a busy market day. It creates a sense of relaxed relief after work.
• The atmosphere shifts ominously when it mentions "We think na on..." foreshadowing trouble ahead.

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Poetry

Section 2: The Journey Begins

• These stanzas introduce Tam, who, full of drink, embarks on a late-night ride on his horse, Meg.
• The narrator lists the obstacles between the inn and Tam's home, emphasizing the dangers.
• We meet Tam's wife, Kate, who is portrayed as a neglected and indignant character.
• The weather starts to turn stormy, with hints of trouble ahead.

Section 3: The Tavern Scene

• These stanzas describe a memorable scene in the tavern where Tam is drinking with his friend Souter Johnny.
• The flowing rhymes reflect the alcohol-fueled revelry.
• Tam's friendship with Souter Johnny is celebrated, emphasizing their drunken camaraderie.
• The tone shifts as the landlady's and landlord's intentions become questionable, hinting at impending danger.
• The narrator warns about the fleeting nature of pleasure and introduces the idea that "Nae man can tether time nor tide."

Section 4: The Fateful Gallop

• In this section, Tam leaves the tavern and faces a thunderstorm during his ride home.
• Tam and his horse, Meg, display fearless energy and control despite the storm.
• The galloping rhythm and descriptions of their bravery build tension.
• The stanza ending with "Tam maun ride" creates a sense of impending doom.

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Poetry

Section 5: Kirk Alloway

• Tam arrives at Kirk Alloway, where there is a stark contrast between light and mirth inside the kirk and the ominous outside world.
• Nanny, a young witch, catches Tam's attention as she dances and celebrates.
• The poem highlights Nanny's crimes, emphasizing her strength and enthusiasm.
• The lively dancing and wild celebration inside the kirk are juxtaposed with the eerie use of the hallowed table.
• The image of dancing witches and the description of the pipe music create a sense of energy and dread.

Section 6: The Chase

• As the dance ends, the chase begins, with the witches and warlocks pursuing Tam.
• The poem shifts to the present tense to intensify the sense of urgency.
• The grey mare, Meg, becomes the hero of the story, facing off against Nanny.
• The poem concludes with a humorous and somewhat absurd ending as Meg loses her tail.

Section 7: The Moral and Satirical Ending

• The poem ends with a short moral lecture, but this is delivered with irony and satire.
• The speaker, who has been more interested in the excitement and fun of the narrative, highlights the underlying satirical strand.
• Tam's escapades and the consequences of the chase are shown to be less severe than the warnings suggested.

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Poetry

Section 8: Reflection on the Poem (Additional Information)

• This section provides context about the poem's origin, narrative craft, and thematic significance.
• Burns' narrative skill in crafting the poem is highlighted, as well as his use of foreshadowing, irony, and satire.
• The poem is described as a gleeful send-up of various elements in society, including its critique of a repressive culture and a punitive religion.
• The mock-epic form, iambic tetrameters, and rhyming couplets are discussed in relation to the poem's structure and style.

Themes:

Celebration of life-affirming enjoyment:

• Quote: "Glorious, victorious"
• Development: The poem celebrates the joy and pleasures of life, especially through the portrayal of Tam's drinking and revelry.

Fleeting nature of human pleasure:

• Quote: "Pleasures are like poppies spread"
• Development: While the poem revels in earthly pleasures, it also acknowledges that such joys are fleeting and should be cherished.

Imagery:

The atmospheric market scene:

• Quote: "Ayr, that evening"
• Development: The opening stanza sets the scene of a bustling market day transitioning to an ominous atmosphere.

The wild dance of the witches:

• Quote: "They reel'd, they set, they cross'd, they cleekit"
• Development: The description of the witches' dance captures their frenetic movement and wildness.

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Poetry

Style Techniques:

Alliteration:

• Quote: "blethering, blustering, drunken blellum"
• Point of development: The use of alliteration enhances the portrayal of Tam as a clumsy and self-deluding oaf.

Onomatopoeia:

• Quote: "screwd and skirl"
• Point of development: The onomatopoeic words convey the ferocious jollity of the pipe music during the dance.

Language Techniques:

Foreshadowing:

• Quote: "Ah, gentle dames, it gars me greet"
• Point of development: The poem uses foreshadowing to hint at the trouble Tam will face, creating suspense and tension.

Irony:

• Quote: "Ah, Tam! ah, Tam!"
• Point of development: The poem employs irony by delivering a moral message in a tongue-in-cheek manner, contrasting the excitement and fun of the narrative.

Anti-hero:

• Quote: "Tam is one of us placed in a position where with luck and a bit of scrappy resourcefulness he triumphs despite not because of who he is."
• Point of development: The poem presents Tam as an anti-hero, an ordinary person who, despite his flaws, faces and overcomes extraordinary challenges.

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Poetry

Symbols:

• Tam O'Shanter represents an anti-hero, lacking heroic qualities but evoking sympathy and relatability. His character showcases the complex nature of human behaviour and frailty.

Style and Form:

• The poem is written in a mock-epic form, using iambic tetrameters and rhyming couplets to create a brisk and lively rhythm.
• Burns employs an intentionally obtrusive narrator who alternately presents Tam as a mock-hero and a fool, enhancing the satirical elements of the poem.

Personal Reflection

1. How does Tam O'Shanter challenge our traditional hero concept? What makes him relatable, and where does he fall short?

2. How does Burns' use of contrasts in the poem reflect the unpredictability of life and human experiences?

3. How does "Tam O'Shanter" make you reconsider societal norms, personal desires, and their consequences in your own life?