William Blake (1757-1827)​

William Blake was born on November 28, 1757, in London, into a modest family. Showing signs of his profound artistic talent early on, he was sent to a drawing school and later apprenticed as an engraver. It was during these formative years that he developed the unique styles of drawing and etching for which he became renowned. But Blake was not just an artist in the traditional sense. He combined his love for art with an equally fervent passion for poetry, and it was in this synthesis of the visual and the verbal that his genius truly lay.​The works of Blake are marked by their imaginative power, spiritual depth, and often challenging symbolism. He was profoundly influenced by his visions, which he began experiencing as a child, seeing angels and other figures from the divine realm.

 

These visions deeply shaped his worldview and found their way into his works, both poetic and artistic. He wrote and illustrated his own books, such as "Songs of Innocence and of Experience," where he juxtaposed the innocent world of childhood with the corrupt and oppressive world of adulthood. His mystical works like "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" and the prophetic books challenge conventional religious and philosophical ideas, often pushing the boundaries of his contemporary society's beliefs.​

 

Throughout his life, Blake faced significant challenges. He lived in relative poverty and was often dismissed or misunderstood by his contemporaries. His unorthodox spiritual beliefs, combined with his often cryptic style, meant that during his lifetime, he wasn't widely recognized or celebrated. He critiqued the oppressive systems of his time, speaking against the industrial revolution's dehumanizing effects and societal institutions that curbed individual and spiritual freedoms.​It was only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that Blake's true genius began to be recognized and celebrated.

 

The subsequent generations of poets, artists, and thinkers saw in Blake a revolutionary spirit and a visionary artist. Today, William Blake stands as a towering figure in the world of literature and art, not just as a poet or a painter but as a man who merged these worlds in an unparalleled and profoundly moving way. His legacy reminds us of the power of imagination, the depth of spiritual vision, and the timeless nature of true artistry.​

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Read:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43650/auguries-of-innocencehttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43687/the-tyger​

 

Discuss:

1. What is one line from Auguries of Innocence that resonated with you and why?

2. What does the line from the Tyger "did he who made the lamb make thee" mean to you?