Term Paper on "Blake William"

Term Paper 4 pages (1123 words) Sources: 1+ Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Tyger" and "The Lamb"

Different points-of-view come into consideration when we read William Blake's poetry. His poems of experience and innocence demonstrate this technique. Two examples of the poet expressing two points-of-view is seen in "The Tyger" and "The Lamb." These poems are excellent to compare and contrast because of their striking differences. Both poems see the subject's creator in different ways. In "The Tyger," the creator is presented as a powerful force that should be feared while in "The Lamb," the subject's creator is presented as good and kind force. In addition, the poet delves into the notions of experience and innocence creatively in these poems. While "The Tyger" is a poem about an aggressive creature, we see hints of innocence throughout it. Similarly, "The Lamb" is a poem an innocent creature but we see a tone of experience in it.

Both poems ask questions about a divine creator. "The Tyger," is a much more powerful poem than "The Lamb," asking questions in a more but the poet asks the same type of questions as he does in "The Lamb," but with a more daunting tone. For instance, the poet asks:

I, what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire? (Tyger 5-8)

Here the poet presents us with an image of fire when questioning its creator, which is a striking contrast to the gentle images presented in "The Lamb." In "The Lamb," the poet presents us with a meek figure regarding its creator.

He is called by thy name,

For he calls himself a lamb;

He is meek and he is mild,

He became a little child; child and thou a lamb. (Lamb 13-17)

This image is one that can be considered as the opposite of the one we just examined. Here the creator is much more gentle in nature. It is also interesting to note how the poet interjects images of Jesus with his mention of meekness in regards to the lamb. One creator is fierce while the other meek. The poet must reconcile these two distinct impressions to ease his mind.

In "The Tyger," the creature is far from gentle; it is ferocious. We should note, however, that the poet is acknowledging that the tiger has the same creator that the lamb does when he writes:

When that 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 17-20)

Here the poet acknowledges the malevolence in the world. This contrast is significant because the poet knows that the same force that created the gentle lamb created the fierce tiger. The poet cannot easily answer the question about how the creator could create such opposite creatures but instead accepts it as part of the wonder of the creator. Even in its danger, the tiger is beautiful and that is where the poet finds peace.

Another contrast with the two poems is how the poet presents each animal. In "The Tyger," the animal is independent while the lamb is dependent. In "The Tyger," the poet writes, "And when thy heart began to beat,/What dread hand? And what dread feet?" (Tyger 11-12). With this image, we definitely see an autonomous creature. In addition, the poet writes:… READ MORE

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