William Blake (1757-1827)

Among the greatest visionary poets in English literature, and one of its last great religious poets. Heavily influenced by the Bible (and Milton); later created his own mythology; memorized large

portions of scripture. Earliest of English Romantic poets—sometimes considered “pre-Romantic.” Saw himself as a poet-prophet (like Milton, Ezekiel or Isaiah). First to express Romantic rejection of reason, rationalism, authoritarianism, industrialization. Embraced imagination as active, creative force. Didn’t influence the first generation Romantics but did influence second; however, Coleridge was an

admirer of some of his work. Supported French and American revolutions, which he thought would lead to the overthrow of

morality and law and to the triumph of instinct and freedom. Saw visions (and heard voices) from an early age, including “a tree full of angels” and God “put[ting]

his head to the window.” Called many of his poems “vision” or “prophecies.”

Ancient of Days (1794)

And Elohim Created Adam (1795)

London-born, poor, apprenticed at 14 to an engraver. Later invented a type of color printing; eventually illustrated The Book of Job, Dante’s Divine Comedy,

Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Milton’s Paradise Lost & Regained.

Christ as Redeemer of Humanity (from Paradise Lost)

Satan in his Original Glory: Thou Wast Perfect till Iniquity was Found in Thee (ca. 1805)

Failed in business, considered an eccentric painter; Wordsworth thought him mad, yet undeniably interesting; later Victorian artists regarded him a genius.

Extremely devoted to Catherine Boucher, his wife (teaches her how to read, write, draw, paint); couple was childless.

At his deathbed he told his crying wife, “Stay Kate! Keep just as you are – I will draw your portrait – for you have ever been an angel to me.” Upon finishing, he then sang hymns and verses. At 6:00 that evening, after promising his wife that he would be with her always, Blake died.

“He died . . . in a most glorious manner. He said he was going to that country he had all his life wished to see and expressed himself happy, hoping for salvation through Jesus Christ. Just before he died his countenance became fair. His eyes brightened and he burst out singing of the things he saw in heaven.

A lodger at the house at the time of his death apparently stated, “I have been at the death, not of a man, but of a blessed angel.”

Years afterward, his wife claimed she was regularly visited by Blake’s spirit.

Blake’s reputed burial site

Since 1965, the exact location of William Blake’s grave had been lost and forgotten because gravestones were taken away to create a new lawn. Today, Blake’s grave is commemorated by a stone, situated approximately 60-70 feet away from Blake’s actual grave. The actual spot of his grave is not marked; however, members the group “Friends of William Blake” have rediscovered the location of Blake’s grave and intend to place a permanent memorial at the site. Blake’s Works

Best known for Songs of Innocence (1789) and Experience (1794), which describe the “two contrary states of the human soul”

Note intervening events between both publications: French Revolution with its September massacres (1792), execution of the French royal family (1793), and Reign of Terror.

Over 35 years wrote and illustrated (and published) 50 copies of Innocence and 28 copies of Experience, as well as two dozen combined sets of both

Many of the poems oppose each other in subject matter; generally: Songs of Innocence Songs of Experience Depict unfallen world Depict fallen world Unified self Divided self Integration w/ nature Alienation from nature Time in harmony w/ rhythm of human existence Time as destructive to human desire Individual over authority Authority over individual Natural desires Unnatural desires Light-hearted, upbeat; “happy songs every child may joy to hear”

Dark expressions of loss of faith, of ironies and ambiguities

Often depict injustice, evil, suffering—particularly as a result of the Industrial Revolution

Chronicle abusive circumstances; poems often leave reader puzzled

Considered parables—even read to Victorian children as bedtime stories!

Depict an ugly, terrifying world of poverty, disease, prostitution, war—all handily epitomized in contemporary London!

“Innocence” and “experience” reflect Blake’s philosophy of the “doctrine of contraries”—the presentation of a truer picture of the human condition

“Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence”

His work has influenced and been adapted by popular musicians, including The Doors and U2. Folk musicians such as Bob Dylan have also adapted his work.