Robert Burns: hero or hellraiser?

By Talking Heads on Jan 22, 09 12:53 PM in

Do we look at Rabbie Burns through rose tinted specs or if he were here today would he be vilified?

SCOTLAND will mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of celebrated national bard Robert Burns this year with a series of events throughout the country.

Born in Ayrshire in 1759, Burns' image and poetry have become an important part of the Scottish brand which is exported across the globe to encourage folk to visit our bonnie banks.

But are we perhaps giving our famous poet an easy ride by choosing to look at him through rose tinted spectacles and ignoring some of the wilder discrepancies in his lifestyle? After all, modern day hellraisers like Amy Winehouse and Paul Gascoigne are vilified on a daily basis in the media.

Burns was well known in his day for being a heavy drinker and serial womaniser and incurred the wrath of church elders in his home town for his ungentlemanly conduct. But nowadays at worst we think of him as a flawed genius, while glossing over some of the less savoury aspects of the poet's life.

The Glaswegian took to the streets of Glasgow to find out whether you think Burns is deserving of his pedestal or should be treated as nothing more than history's equivalent to Keith Richards or Pete Doherty.

Care assistant Joe Farquhar, 24, said: "I think we would be more critical of him if he were alive nowadays but he would still be celebrated asagreatpoet after his death.

He'd probably be given morelee way than a footballer or rock star because he is a literary figure.

Jake Wilson, from Newcastle, believes our national bard is simply not as great as everybody makes out. He said: "I think the fact that Burns was slightly flawed adds to the sense of romanticism which surrounds him. But I think Scots rightly have a great sense of pride in anything which is Scottish and that has led to Burns becoming slightly over-rated."

Sarah MacKintosh, a 24-year-old teacher from Hyndland, said: "I suppose a modern day equivalent to Burns would be Iain Banks or Irvine Welsh but he had a very unique style so it's hard to compare.

Lynne McCormack, 64,is a writer who just can't get enough of Burns. She said: "It was his life so I can't help but think the people who criticise him are maybe just a wee bit jealous. It's unfair to criticise him because he can't defend himself anymore."

Scotstoun resident Norma De Vilbiss, 64, was another Burns enthusiast. She said: "I absolutely love Burns' poetry and I don't think he ever tried to portray himself as a saint.

"But he had a great knowledge of humanity and talent for conveying it through his work."

Jay Richardson was visiting the city on a trip from his hometown of Brighton but he was full of praise for Burns. He said: "He is rightly regarded as Scotland's national writer and while I am not an expert on his work my favourite piece is 'To A Mouse'.

"I suppose you could say Leonard Cohen is a modern day Robert Burns."