William Blake Research Paper

William Blake was known as an English poet and artist during 1757–1827, he spent most of his life in London. Blake’s understanding of family and psychology helped him to focus mostly on writing for and about children, but still relatable to all ages (Mcgillis 69-76). He is also known for the romanticism portrayed through his writing and is more appreciated for his works now than before his death. He did not attend school instead he learned to read and write at home with his six siblings. Blake believed school encouraged common thoughts and deadens personal visions as shown in his poem “The School Boy”: “to go to school in a summer morn, it drives all joy away” (Mcgillis 69-76). Kenneth Muir states Blake believed, “the arts of life had been

During his time with Basire, Blake spent time in London churches creating his own style of Gothic monuments (Mcgillis 69-76). After his apprenticeship, Blake worked as an engraver and later married his wife, Catherine Boucher, who assisted him with his early works. He taught his wife to read, write, and draw which allowed her to not only help her husband with his works but also become his closest companion. In 1787, he formed a partnership with James Parker selling paintings on Broad Street, this is around the same time he wrote: “An Island in the Moon” which was a satire referenced to child literature he never published (Mcgillis 69-76). He is known, as a visual artist because of the imaginative, yet realism he illustrates in his works. Roderick Mcgillis believes William Blake was “the first true picture-book artist” and the more we learn about him the more mysterious his works become (69-76). He engraved and published all of his early work himself except for his first book entitled Poetical Sketches, in which showed him imitating the precursors of romanticism (“William Blake”). Kenneth Muir states that Blake was “not merely one of the best lyrical poets of the last

The collection of poems is written in the point of view of a child, representing a simple, childlike innocence and the first illustrated poem written by Blake. A few poems that represent this are: “The Lamb,” “Infant Joy,” and “Laughing Songs.” They signify the beauty, freeness, love, and liberty enjoyed during childhood (“William Blake”). Kenneth Muir implies the Songs of Innocence illustrates “childhood as a symbolic representation of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Blake's poetry explores the emotional power of Orthodox Christianity, the belief in a protective, supernatural authority which will right all wrongs. In “The Divine Image'' and Songs of Innocence Blake expresses his views of God and man. His use of religion is a popular illustration throughout his works. He believes religion can offer comfort to those in need. He uses Christianity in Songs of Innocence and the child's vulnerability and freshness to relate to Jesus as a child. “The Lamb” is a poem composed of a series of questions followed by answers according to Joseph Crawford. This style of writing helps the readers to interpret the poem better, causing no misunderstanding of the works and gives a good insight into what the author was trying to say (Crawford 29+). Blake's poem “The Lamb” is used as a symbol because it points to certain aspects of Christian myths and ethics which is a force against violence, bring peace in a way that fear and