Robert Burns, Part 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Alloway, 1759

Robert Burns was born on January 25th, 1759, in a small thatched cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire. It is known as Burns Cottage and is now part of The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

Born in a humble farming family, Robert was the eldest of seven children of Charles Burnes and Ann Broun. The cottage was built by his father. His mother used to share Scottish folk songs and tales. These had a strong influence on him, influencing his love of storytelling and poetry.

Answer: The inherent dignity and equality of all people

'A Man's a Man for A' That' is Burns's bold declaration that true worth lies in character, not class. He celebrates honesty, integrity, and the common person, rejecting the notion that titles or wealth confer superiority. It's a proud, egalitarian anthem wrapped in plainspoken dignity.

Answer: Heartfelt sorrow at parting

'Ae Fond Kiss' is one of Robert Burns's most poignant love poems, written as a farewell to Agnes Maclehose, with whom he shared a deep but complicated romantic connection. The poem captures the raw emotion of parting. Each line is steeped in sorrow, tenderness, and quiet resignation.

Burns doesn't rage or plead; instead, he reflects on the pain of separation with graceful melancholy, famously writing, 'Ae fond kiss, and then we sever'. It's a distilled moment of heartbreak, where love remains strong even as circumstances force it to end.

Answer: A sentimental portrait of a humble family's evening routine

'The Cotter's Saturday Night' is Robert Burns's warm tribute to the quiet dignity of rural Scottish life. It describes a working-class family gathering at the end of the week, sharing food, prayer, and affection in a modest cottage. Burns blends gentle realism with moral admiration, portraying the cotter's household as a model of virtue, simplicity, and heartfelt devotion.

The poem celebrates not just domestic routine, but the deeper values of faith, love, and community that hold families together.

Answer: Sorrow over lost love

'The Banks o' Doon' is a gentle, sorrowful poem where Burns reflects on lost love while walking beside the River Doon. The peaceful setting contrasts with the speaker's heartbreak, as he mourns a romance that ended in betrayal. Nature's beauty deepens the emotional weight - roses bloom and rivers flow, but love has faded. It's a quiet lament, full of tenderness and regret.

Answer: Battle of Bannockburn

Written in 1793, 'Scots Wha Hae' is one of Burns's most iconic poems. It is written in the form of an imagined rousing speech delivered by Robert the Bruce to his troops before entering the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Celebrating the resistance against oppression, alongside patriotism and freedom, it is sometimes regarded as Scotland's unofficial national anthem. Under Robert the Bruce's leadership, the Scots defeated the English forces, securing their independence. It is remembered as one of the most defining moments in Scotland's struggle for freedom.

Answer: The enduring depth of romantic love

'A Red, Red Rose' is a heartfelt love poem in which Burns compares his feelings to a freshly bloomed rose and a sweet melody. He promises that his love will last until the seas dry up and the rocks melt with the sun - vivid, romantic images to show just how deep and enduring his affection is.

Answer: Many genres

Burns's poetry transcends any single genre as he is associated with several of these. He was a master of lyric poetry, where he delved into personal emotions like love and nature, as can be seen in 'A Red Red Rose' and 'Ae Fond Kiss'.

He also excelled at satirical poetry, with his sharpness and wit. Being a gifted storyteller, he also wrote narrative poetry very well, and his love of rural life was evident in his pastoral poetry. This versatility is one reason why he became an enduring literary figure.

Answer: Venereal disease

Burns's poem, 'On Venereal Disease' was written to warn people about the risks of sexually transmitted infections, which were common in his time. He used clear and direct language to show how dangerous and harmful the disease could be, both physically and socially. The poem mixes seriousness with a bit of Burns's usual sharp wit to make the message memorable.

It also reflects Burns's concern for human behaviour and morality, showing that he wasn't just writing love poems or songs. It gives insight into everyday life in 18th-century Scotland, where diseases like this were a real and serious issue. Burns wanted people to learn from his words and be careful.

Answer: 'O Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast'

Robert Burns's final poem, 'O Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast', was written shortly before he died in 1796. It's a tender, protective verse addressed to Jessie Lewars, a young woman who cared for him during his illness. The poem imagines shielding her from life's harshest winds, reflecting both his gratitude and emotional vulnerability in his final days.