William Blake
1757-1827
Life and works
1757
1790-1827
He was born in London. His origins were humble. He studied at the Royal Academy of Art
1789
He published "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" which reflected his twisted mind. He died in London
He published "Song of Innocence"
1794
He supported the French Revolution and knew about the evil effects of industrial revolution.He was influenced by the Bible
He published "Songs of Experience"
Without Contraries there is no Progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Reason and Energy, Love and Hate are necessary to Human Existence"
Ideals
-Complementary opposites -Dualism characterising man's life -Aboliltion of slavery -Revolution as a purifying violence -Evil consequences of the INdustrial Revolution
Characteristics of the poems
Imagination, or "the Divine Vision", was used by Blake to see beyond material reality. The poet becomes a sort of prophet who can see more deeply into reality.
He employed a central group of symbols in his songs:-The Child -The Father -Christ
The Lamb
The Tyger
This poem is the opposite of "The Lamb" and questions the origin of the tiger's terrifying strength and frightening beauty.
The poem focuses on an innocent and gentle lamb as a symbol of divine creation and childhood innocence.
The Lamb
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee, Little Lamb, I'll tell thee: He is called by thy name, For He calls Himself a Lamb. He is meek, and He is mild; He became a little child. I a child, and thou a lamb, We are called by His name. Little Lamb, God bless thee! Little Lamb, God bless thee!
The Tyger
Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? And what dread feet?
What the hammer? What the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? What dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears And water'd heaven with their tears: Did He smile His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
The narrator is a shepherd who receives inspiration from a child in a cloud. He celebrates the divine in all creation and exalt freedom, imagination and innocence (childhood). The language is simple and musical.
The narrator is a bard who questions the themes of the previous collection (due to the Reign of Terror in France). A more pessimistic view emerges from these songs. Experience (adulthood) completes innocens
William Blake
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Transcript
William Blake
1757-1827
Life and works
1757
1790-1827
He was born in London. His origins were humble. He studied at the Royal Academy of Art
1789
He published "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" which reflected his twisted mind. He died in London
He published "Song of Innocence"
1794
He supported the French Revolution and knew about the evil effects of industrial revolution.He was influenced by the Bible
He published "Songs of Experience"
Without Contraries there is no Progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Reason and Energy, Love and Hate are necessary to Human Existence"
Ideals
-Complementary opposites -Dualism characterising man's life -Aboliltion of slavery -Revolution as a purifying violence -Evil consequences of the INdustrial Revolution
Characteristics of the poems
Imagination, or "the Divine Vision", was used by Blake to see beyond material reality. The poet becomes a sort of prophet who can see more deeply into reality.
He employed a central group of symbols in his songs:-The Child -The Father -Christ
The Lamb
The Tyger
This poem is the opposite of "The Lamb" and questions the origin of the tiger's terrifying strength and frightening beauty.
The poem focuses on an innocent and gentle lamb as a symbol of divine creation and childhood innocence.
The Lamb
Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life, and bid thee feed By the stream and o'er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, woolly, bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice! Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee, Little Lamb, I'll tell thee: He is called by thy name, For He calls Himself a Lamb. He is meek, and He is mild; He became a little child. I a child, and thou a lamb, We are called by His name. Little Lamb, God bless thee! Little Lamb, God bless thee!
The Tyger
Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire? And what shoulder, and what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? And what dread feet?
What the hammer? What the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? What dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears And water'd heaven with their tears: Did He smile His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
The narrator is a shepherd who receives inspiration from a child in a cloud. He celebrates the divine in all creation and exalt freedom, imagination and innocence (childhood). The language is simple and musical.
The narrator is a bard who questions the themes of the previous collection (due to the Reign of Terror in France). A more pessimistic view emerges from these songs. Experience (adulthood) completes innocens