William Blake Poetry Analysis: Religious Influences
Edward Guerra
Mrs. Graziosi
English 9A
3/28/13
William Blake’s Poetry: Religious Influences
Society’s emphasis of religion in daily life has established a vast array of philosophies, codes, and ideas. Religion brings up potential answers to many mysteries and phenomena that society has been unable to explain themselves. Examples of religions’ creation of philosophies and codes can be seen in The Ten Commandments of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as William Blake’s poetry. William Blake reflects his beliefs concerning religion and human nature through his poetry. He transmits the idea that two states are required in order to fully embrace human spirit. First, one must have a sense of innocence, to fully be open to learning, with the awe of a small child. Next, they must contain the sense of experience, which allows one to recognize both good and evil, in order to begin the process of redemption. This idea is enforced in his works The Tyger, The Lamb, and Proverbs of Heaven and Hell.
William Blake’s poem known as The Tyger, focuses its attention on a series of questions regarding creation, specifically the creation of the tiger, a scary yet beautiful creature. This poem uses lots of ambiguous language that asks questions in nearly every line. An example of the questions this poem asks include “In what distant deeps or skies/ Burnt the fire of thine eyes?” (The Tyger 6-7). These lines question who and where could one have created such bright eyes of the tiger. Fire is used to convey a sense of fear, for fire represents destruction. William Blake raises the question in his poem, “Who is the creator?” (Derek). William Blake’s poem makes many references to Mythology, one example regarding the book of redemption, specifically the story of Lucifer and his angels, which describes the war in heaven. (Derek) This is shown in these lines: “When the stars threw down their spears/And water’d heaven with their tears,” (The Tyger Lines 17-18). Line 17
Mrs. Graziosi
English 9A
3/28/13
William Blake’s Poetry: Religious Influences
Society’s emphasis of religion in daily life has established a vast array of philosophies, codes, and ideas. Religion brings up potential answers to many mysteries and phenomena that society has been unable to explain themselves. Examples of religions’ creation of philosophies and codes can be seen in The Ten Commandments of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as William Blake’s poetry. William Blake reflects his beliefs concerning religion and human nature through his poetry. He transmits the idea that two states are required in order to fully embrace human spirit. First, one must have a sense of innocence, to fully be open to learning, with the awe of a small child. Next, they must contain the sense of experience, which allows one to recognize both good and evil, in order to begin the process of redemption. This idea is enforced in his works The Tyger, The Lamb, and Proverbs of Heaven and Hell.
William Blake’s poem known as The Tyger, focuses its attention on a series of questions regarding creation, specifically the creation of the tiger, a scary yet beautiful creature. This poem uses lots of ambiguous language that asks questions in nearly every line. An example of the questions this poem asks include “In what distant deeps or skies/ Burnt the fire of thine eyes?” (The Tyger 6-7). These lines question who and where could one have created such bright eyes of the tiger. Fire is used to convey a sense of fear, for fire represents destruction. William Blake raises the question in his poem, “Who is the creator?” (Derek). William Blake’s poem makes many references to Mythology, one example regarding the book of redemption, specifically the story of Lucifer and his angels, which describes the war in heaven. (Derek) This is shown in these lines: “When the stars threw down their spears/And water’d heaven with their tears,” (The Tyger Lines 17-18). Line 17
Bibliography: Page 1. Aubrey, Derek. In an essay for “Poetry for Students”, Gale, 1997. 2. Bloom, Harold. "Bloom on 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell '." In Bloom, Harold, ed. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Bloom 's Modern Critical Interpretations. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 1987. (Updated 2006.) Bloom 's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin=MCI027&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 22, 2013). 3. Furr, Derek. In an essay for, “Poetry for Students”, Gale, 1997.