Scottish Literature:
* Traditional Ballads: Burns was deeply fascinated by the oral tradition of Scottish ballads, which he collected and adapted. These ballads, full of love, loss, and heroic deeds, provided him with a rich reservoir of themes and poetic devices. Examples include "Sir Patrick Spens" and "Tam o' Shanter."
* "The Gentle Shepherd" by Allan Ramsay: This play, written in a Scots dialect, explored rural life and love, themes that resonated deeply with Burns.
* "The Ever Green" by Allan Ramsay: This collection of poetry and prose, focusing on Scottish history and culture, instilled in Burns a sense of national identity and pride.
* "The Works of James Thomson": Thomson's poetic exploration of nature, particularly "The Seasons," provided a template for Burns's own descriptive and evocative writing.
English Literature:
* Shakespeare: Burns was a devoted admirer of Shakespeare, whose dramatic works and use of language influenced his own.
* John Milton: Burns was drawn to Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost," particularly its powerful imagery and themes of rebellion.
* Alexander Pope: Pope's satirical and witty verse provided Burns with a model for his own social commentary.
* The English Romantics: Burns was contemporary with the English Romantics, such as Wordsworth and Coleridge, and their emphasis on nature, emotion, and individual experience resonated with his own poetic sensibilities.
Other Influences:
* The Bible: Burns was deeply religious and the language and imagery of the Bible informed his writing, especially his religious poems like "Holy Willie's Prayer."
* Scottish Folk Songs: Beyond ballads, Burns was inspired by the rich tradition of Scottish folk songs, drawing upon their melodies and themes.
* The Enlightenment: Burns was aware of the intellectual currents of the Enlightenment and its emphasis on reason and human progress, which he sometimes subverted in his poetry.
It's important to note that Burns was not merely an imitator of these influences. He synthesized them, adding his own distinctive voice and perspective, to create a unique and powerful body of work. His poetry is a testament to the power of vernacular language, his ability to capture the essence of Scottish culture, and his enduring human concerns.