William Blake Controversy

In 1757, William Blake was born in London, England (William Blake Biography). Blake’s parents conceived seven children, but two children did not live past infancy (Peacock 36). James Blake, his father, was a hosier. He sold the items he made which included woven and knitted goods, stockings, socks, night-caps, and gloves. His family members were Dissenters. This means they believed that the Scripture was the only rule of practice, and the Blakes believed that Christ was the head of the church (Bloom 35). Blake had divine visions as a young child (William Blake Biography). His parents observed that he was unique (Poets.org). Also, his parents recognized his artistic ability (William Blake Biography). Blake desired to become a painter (Poets.org).

In 1783, Blake published Poetical Sketches. These poems reflected Blake’s objection toward war, tyranny, and the way King George III mistreated the American colonists. In 1788 and 1789, he printed There Is No Natural Religion and The Roof of Theil, a book of fantasy. He published Songs of Innocence, a book of simple, wise, and innocent poems, in 1789 (Peacock 37). From 1790 to 1793, Blake composed The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, one of Blake’s best books. In this book, he wrote a satire about the overbearing and tyrannical control of the church and state in society (Peacock 39). In 1794, Blake expanded Songs of Innocence by adding more poems and called this new book Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Its aim was to reveal two different states of humankind. The first state relates to the souls of children, their optimism, and an affirmation of God’s love. The other state refers to evil and gloom. His goal was to entertain and advise the reader like God’s Bible instructs his people. Throughout these poems, Blake expressed his dislike of authority and convention. This piece has influenced many children’s authors and poets.(Peacock 38) When he and his wife returned to London in 1803, he engraved Milton and Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion (Peacock 39). From 1804 to 1820, Blake wrote and illustrated Jerusalem (William Blake Biography). Jerusalem was perhaps Blake’s greatest piece. He relied on tapping into

After completing seven years as an apprentice engraver, he became a copy artist. Also, in 1779, he began painting and exhibited his works at the Royal Academy of Art’s Schools of Design by 1780. In 1782, Blake married Catherine Sophia Boucher. She was illiterate, but Blake taught her how to read, write, and draw. Blake influenced her to experience visions like he did. She stood by her husband throughout their forty-five years together in marriage (William Blake Biography). They had no children (Poets.org). Although he thrived as an engraver, Blake painted watercolors from the works of Milton, Dante, Shakespeare, and the Bible. At the age of forty-three, Blake moved to Felpham, in Sussex, to work with the poet William Hayley (William Blake Biography). Blake stopped writing children’s poetry and books. While in Felpham, Blake learned Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Italian. He yearned to understand classical pieces by reading them as they were written in their original language (Peacock 39). Unfortunately, Blake and Haley did not get along. In 1803, Blake had a conflict with John Schofield, a soldier who was trespassing. Blake was wrongly accused of assault and sedition. Blake and his wife returned to London. In 1804, Hayley’s attorney defended Blake, and he was acquitted. After the negative reviews of his works, he became poor and paranoid (William Blake Biography). In 1818, John Linnell, a young artist,