William

Blake
Poetry

Lindsey Ryan
Born November 28th, 1757

Died August 12th, 1827

Aged 69

English poet, painter, and printmaker

One of the greatest visionaries of the early

Romantic Era

For all Blake’s commitment, effort, and

genius, he was thought of more as a
madman than a visionary during his lifetime.
Songs of
Innocence and
of Experience
Showing the Two Contrary
States of the Human Soul
The Lamb
• Innocence
• Childhood
• Small
• Joy

The poem focuses on the nature of creation and,

indeed, the creation of nature. Blake argues that
people need to hold onto the values childhood
represents—not unlearn and reject them through the
fears and worries of adulthood. 
The Tyger
• Corruption
• Adulthood
• Large
• Sadness

The imagination, the poem ultimately suggests, is

the location of a miraculous but dangerous kind of
creative strength. That's why it takes bravery—the
willingness to "dare," as the poem would put it—
to create anything of any worth out of the "fire" of
creativity. The poem represents the fears and
worries of adulthood. 
 Now you will write your own two
poems that express two contrary states
of being or essence. You will also
illustrate your poems with drawing or
pictures.