Post on 24-Dec-2015
transcript
The Poetry of William Blake
William Blake BioWilliam Blake was a poet during the Romantic era
in England. He comprised a plethora of poems, often based on the concept of religion as well as
on the theory of the Contrary States of the Human Soul. In addition to being a poet, Blake was also an artist, and he created water color
engravings to accompany each poem he wrote.
Cover Plates for The Songs of Experience and Innocence
The Contrary States of the Human Soul in (your poem titles)
Experience
Innocence
The Songs of Experience Plate
Analysis of “A Poison Tree” from Blake’s Songs of Experience
There are two key images within “A Poison Tree.”
• One is the apple • The other is the man outstretched beneath the tree.
What is the overall theme of “A Poison Tree” by William Blake?
Repressed Anger and its
consequences.
Literary Term #1: Symbol
Definition: A word, place, character, or object that means something beyond what it is on a literal level.
Symbol: The apple serves as a symbol for temptation, specifically the temptation of the speaker’s enemy.
Line: “And it grew both day and night,Till it bore an apple bright” (9-10).
Literary Term # 2
Literary Term #3
Romantic Element #1: Emotion
Emotion: The speaker of the poem has great anger towards his enemy in this poem, so much so that he plots a plan of revenge against him.
Line: “I was angry with my friend:I told my wrath, my wrath did end” (1-2).
Romantic Element #2
Romantic Element #3
Tone, Mood, Setting, and Action:
In Blake’s watercolor, the viewer can clearly see the foe “outstretched
beneath the tree.” Concerning the tree, both the trunks and the limbs are very dark in color, thus paralleling the
ominous mood of the poem. In addition, the limbs bend over the foe’s
body, forming a symbolic grave of sorts.
Blake’s choice of colors is both muted and dreary – devoid of life.
The Songs of Innocence Plate
Analysis of “On Another’s Sorrow” from Songs of Innocence
Key Image
Theme
Literary Term # 1
Literary Term # 2
Literary Term # 3
Literary Term # 4
Tone, Mood, Setting, and Action:
The Artwork of William BlakeMy Favorites
Red Dragon(put title)
Briefly explain why this painting appeals
to you.
Ancient of Days