William Blake

William Blake grew up in London, England. He spent most of his life in the city and was greatly influenced by its urban environment in his works of poetry and art.

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))

William Blake and Thomas Gray were both poets and artists who contributed significantly to English literature during the 18th century. Both were known for their lyrical and imaginative works that reflected romantic and mystical themes. Despite their different styles, they shared a deep appreciation for nature, myth, and the supernatural in their writing.

William Blake portrays childhood in his works as a state of innocence and wonder, free from societal constraints and corruption. He often contrasts the purity of childhood with the loss of innocence that comes with adulthood, exploring themes of vulnerability, imagination, and the loss of connection with the divine. Blake's poetry and art often celebrate the power of imagination and the importance of preserving one's childlike sense of wonder.

William Blake uses the phrase "mind-forg'd manacles" in his poem "London" to describe the mental constraints and oppressive social conditions that restrict individuals in society. These manacles symbolize the psychological and emotional imprisonment created by the rigid social hierarchies and oppressive structures within London at the time. Blake suggests that people are trapped in a cycle of mental bondage that prevents them from experiencing true freedom and self-expression.

If you are asking what is the symbolism of Blake's poetry, I can answer that one; however, it depends on the poem because Blake uses a range of symbols to represent his themes. Blake is considered one of the major poets of the Romantic Period (1785-1830), which is roughly around the time of the industrial period. Many of the poets who are now grouped under the "Romantics," shared an idealistic view that the human spirit would prevail over the turmoil of that age, or any future age. Revolution was another common theme, and many critics believe that the poets at that time, particularly Blake, were prophets because their poetry often contained warnings about machines replacing a more agricultural lifestyle. If one were to choose a dominant theme for Blake, it might be the imaginative vision that surpasses the common experience. He once said that "all he knew was in the Bible," and so spiritual themes and symbols are often found in his work. "The Lamb" and "The Tyger" are two of the most prominent examples; these poems are often juxtaposed when teaching his work to demonstrate his observations about the power and contradictions of a creator who could create both such meek and fierce creatures. One could argue that these animals also symbolize contradictions in human nature, especially since Blake and his contemporaries believed in Transcendentalism or the idea that God exists within all living things. Because Blake is often called a poetic prophet, his use of spiritual language and symbols may be considered part of his prophecy.

William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker who lived in London in the 18th and 19th centuries. He is known for his visionary poetry and unique artistic style, which blended spirituality, mysticism, and social criticism. Blake's works often explored themes of innocence, experience, and the nature of creativity.

William Blake wrote the poem "London" to criticize the social ills and injustices he observed in London during the late 18th century. Through vivid imagery and language, Blake sought to highlight the suffering of the city's inhabitants and to protest against the oppressive institutions of his time, such as the Church and the monarchy.

"The Tiger" is one of the most beautiful descriptive animal poems that was ever written. The poet describes the tiger as a powerful and almost immortal being. "What immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?" He compares the creator of this wild beast with the creator of the innocent lamb. "Did he who made the Lamb make thee?" The poet describes the tiger as a living, breathing fire that walks brightly through the forest. "Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright, in the forests of the night." He is amazed at how God could have tamed fire and turned it into this magnificent creature. "What the hand dare seize the fire."

The poet, William Blake, uses a lot of rhyme in this poem. Rhyming couplets are found throughout the poem. "What the hammer? What the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? What dread grasp, dare its deadly terrors clasp?" William Blake never uses the same rhyming sound twice. Every couplet has a different rhyming sound. All in all, the rhyming scheme is very well structured. Compared to other poems of the same length, there is a lot more rhyming. The rhyming helps the poem sound good and it allows the reader to enjoy the poem even more. For example: "Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright, in the forest of the night," but if you had, "Tiger! Tiger! Burning brightly, in the forest of the night," it doesn't sound as good.

"The Tiger", like some other poems, has a steady rhythm, or beat. The first three lines all have seven syllables in all and in most of the stanzas, there are seven syllables. Sometimes a stanza has eight or six, but mostly seven syllables. This poem has an extremely enjoyable and beautiful rhythm. When people enjoy reading a poem, they understand it better and they think of the poem exactly like the poet planned.

There are a lot of metaphors in this poem. "Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright," the poet is comparing the tiger to a glorious burning flame. "What hand dare seize the fire?" the poet tells us...

He lived in London his entire life except for three years spent in Felpham.

In "The Lamb," William Blake uses the lamb as a symbol of innocence, purity, and Jesus Christ. In contrast, "The Tyger" symbolizes a darker side to creation, representing power, fierceness, and mystery. Together, these poems explore the duality of existence and the complexity of the human experience.

The poem "London" by William Blake is a good example of Romantic attitudes as it portrays the dark side of industrialization and urbanization, highlighting the poet's concern for the suffering of the common people in a rapidly changing society. The poem also reflects the Romantic emphasis on emotion, nature, and individual experience by using vivid imagery and a melancholic tone to evoke a sense of social injustice and moral decay. Overall, Blake's critique of the city's oppressive and dehumanizing aspects aligns with Romantic ideals of valuing authenticity, emotion, and empathy for the downtrodden.

This poem suggests that holding onto joy too tightly can lead to its demise, while embracing joy in the moment allows for a more enduring happiness. It emphasizes the transient nature of joy and the importance of savoring each moment without trying to possess it. Ultimately, the message is to appreciate and let go of joy gracefully to experience a more fulfilling life.

Tigers are fearful and awesome at the same time

William Blake was not a fan of formal schooling. He left school at the tender age of ten. He began writing poetry at the age of twelve, and by 1783 had sold his first book of poetry. He apprenticed as an engraver. He continued to write poetry, usually with a theme of the social injustice he saw in everyday life.

I think this poem is first and foremost personifying nature, specifically sunflowers. The dialogue set up is to indicate the feeling of the flowers. I also think that Blake wanted to create a comparison and contrast between human nature and nature itself. The flowers are obviously disgruntled being left outside and are tired. It is a great personification poem about the human condition of weariness or fatigue.

His father was a hosier. He wanted his son William to become the same thing, learning sums and accounts, but instead the boy showed an interest in art,

William Blake's poetry often focuses on the complexities of human experience, exploring themes of innocence, experience, spirituality, and social injustice. His works frequently use vivid imagery and symbolism to convey deeper philosophical and moral messages. Overall, Blake's poetry challenges traditional beliefs and provokes readers to question societal norms and values.

Willima Blake likes to get wasted and party with the gypsies

Tho I do like the previous answer, I have a somewhat different interpretation.....

'Loves secret' by William Blake is poem of unrequited love. In the first stanza Mr. Blake warns the reader of proclaiming ones love to another. 'Love that never told can be' demonstrates that, from his point of view, when love is unspoken it is more likely to have a successful relationship as true love will come clear in time. We learn in the second stanza that Mr. Blake's original view comes from a previous experience. He told someone he loved them but they didn't not love him in return and felt, as a result, they had to leave; hence making Blake reluctant to make the same mistake again. In the final stanza 'a traveller came by', this suggests that someone with no attachments or responsibilities formed a short term relationship with the woman and 'he took her with a sigh' or he did this with ease and little foundations. It could also mean that the 'traveller' is God, as many of William Blake's poems did in fact have a religious underlining to them. This was not uncommon of the times. In the case that the 'traveller' was God it is likely that the woman died. The line 'he took her with a sigh' reveals her death as she has left with God or gone to heaven.

The main theme of William Blake's poem "The Nurse's Song" is the contrast between strict discipline and joyful freedom. The nurse initially imposes rules on the children, but eventually allows them to play and enjoy themselves, suggesting the importance of balance between structure and spontaneity in child-rearing. Additionally, the poem celebrates the innocence of childhood and the beauty of nature.

William Blake was a precursor to Wordsworth and Coleridge, influencing their romantic poetry with his mystical and visionary works. Thomas Gray, on the other hand, was a predecessor to the Romantic poets, including Wordsworth and Coleridge, with his elegiac and lyrical style paving the way for their experimentation with nature and emotion in poetry.

his own imagination.

"The Fly" by William Blake explores the fragility and fleeting nature of human life through the small creature of a fly. The poem reflects on the insignificance of human existence in the grand scheme of things and the inevitability of death. Blake uses the fly as a symbol to provoke deeper contemplation on mortality and the passage of time.

"To the Evening Star" by William Blake is a romantic poem that praises the beauty and tranquility of the evening star (Venus). The speaker addresses the star with admiration and uses it as a symbol of peace and inspiration. The poem reflects Blake's fascination with nature and the cosmic world, emphasizing the connection between the human spirit and the universe.