CONSTRUCTIONS OF NATIONAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITY IN THE POETRY OF SCOTS MAKARS

Abstract

The paper explores different ways national and cultural identity is constructed by relying on theoretical insights of Anderson (1983), Smith (1991), McCrone (1998) and Devine (2006). This theoretical framework is applied to the poetry of Scots Makars (Burns, Morgan, Lochhead and Kay) in order to emphasize the role of the national poet in creating distinctive Scottish identity. The common denominator in the poetry of the aforementioned Scots Makars is their insistence on the usage of Scots as a valid means of literary expression and glorification of the heroic Scottish past. It is also important to emphasize that modern Scottish identity is shaped by new concerns reflecting the current political, national, economic and cultural queries. Thus, Scots Makars also assert that the molding of modern Scottish national and cultural identity can represent a potential benefit and not a burdensome handicap for the nation only by a constant interchange between the past and present.