6/ Comment on the main themes in Burn’s poems.
The main themes in Robert Burn’s poems is his deep love for his motherland, for its history and folklore. Burn’s poetry is closely connected with the national struggle of the Scottish people for their liberation from England oppression, the struggle that had been going on in Scotland for many century. Burn expressed the most sacred thoughts and hopes of the Scottish people, who, even in their poverty, are full of proud love of freedom, hatred for all oppressors, contempt for the rich, human dignity and an optimistic belief in their beautiful future.
7/ What is the meaning of the word “Enlightenment”? What were the two trends among the English Enlighteners?
· “Enlightenment” is a word describing the developed period of English history. In the 17th century, the growing contradictions between the new class, the bourgeoisie and the old forces of feudalism brought about the English Bourgeois Revolution in the 1640s. England was proclaimed a republic, the position of Bourgeoisie had changed. In the 18th century, Great Britain rapidly growing into a capitalist country. It was an age of intensive industrial development. New machinery was invented. The 18th century was also remarkable for the development of science and culture with the discoveries in the field of physics, philosophy or economy.
· There are two trends among the English Enlighteners: some of them, the moderates, spoke in deference of the existing order, considering that a few reforms were enough to improve it others, the radicals, wanted more democracy in the ruling of the country. They defended the interests of the exploited masses.
