Did the French and American Revolution influence William Blake?

Answer 1

Yes they did.

At the beginning of his carrer as an engraver, William Blake was so poor that he had to publish himself his own verses. His humble origins made him to be implicated in politics. He was a radical libertarian as regards social, political and even sexual freedom.

He thought the American revolution was a great victory of an audacious youth over autocratic power. He also showed an open sympathy for the french revolutionaries. He even helped Thomas Paine, a ardent supporter of the French Revolution, to flee from England to France.

Then he considered the imposed rigorous civil laws (suspension of the Habeas Corpus, The Alien Bill...) in England during the war against France in 1793, as a proof of the repression of the "Church-State" against the people. With Byron, and other intellectuals, he denounced those facts.

He was arrested in 1800 for sedition and high treason. Released in 1804, he settled in London where he died 20 years later.

His political implication is obvious in his poetry.

"Visions of the Daughters of Albion", "America: a Prophecy" , "Europe: a Prophecy" are pamphets denouncing the social and political tyranny at that time.

Some of pieces or pictures are about sexual discrimination, Slavery. But he also wrote and drawned about conscience, philosophy, unity.

He was a mystical precursor. Considered either as a genius or a madman. Actually he was both at the same time. A dreamer but not naive.

Hope you will be interested in W. Blake's work.

Here a link in which Ashleydwatson explains the symbolic aspect.

What is the symbolism of William Blake

I studied Blake when I was at the university. All of this is a remminiscence of my memory. And as my English must be "rusty", I will accept any critic or correction. :0))

Answer 2

Yes, the French and American Revolutions influenced William Blake. He criticized the social and political structures of his time in his works, expressing support for the ideals of liberty and equality that were promoted by the revolutions. Blake's poetry and art often reflected a desire for moral and spiritual transformation in society, influenced by the revolutionary spirit of the time.