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A review by lucazani11
Songs of Innocence and of Experience by William Blake
4.0
THE HUMAN ABSTRACT
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody poor,
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
And mutual fear brings Peace,
Till the selfish loves increase
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
He sits down with his holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head,
And the caterpillar and fly
Feed on the Mystery.
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat,
And the raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade.
The gods of the earth and sea
Sought through nature to find this tree,
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the human Brain.
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"Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a collection of poems written by William Blake in the late 18th century. The collection consists of two parts, with each part containing a set of poems that are thematically connected. The poems in the "Songs of Innocence" explore the joys and wonder of childhood innocence, while the poems in the "Songs of Experience" explore the dark realities of adulthood.
One of the main themes of the collection is the loss of innocence. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays children as pure and innocent, untouched by the corruption of the world around them. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he portrays the harsh realities of life that strip away this innocence. For example, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake depicts a young boy who is content with his life as a chimney sweep, unaware of the dangers and exploitation he faces. In contrast, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Experience," the same boy is portrayed as being disillusioned and broken by his experiences.
Another important theme in the collection is the corrupting influence of societal institutions. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays institutions such as the Church and the monarchy as benevolent and protective. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he exposes their darker side and the way in which they can be used to oppress and exploit individuals. For example, in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake celebrates the charitable work of the Church. But in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Experience," he exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of the Church and its role in perpetuating poverty and suffering.
Overall, "Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of innocence, experience, corruption, and societal institutions. Through his poetry, Blake offers a critique of the world around him and highlights the need for individuals to question the status quo and fight against injustice and oppression.
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody poor,
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
And mutual fear brings Peace,
Till the selfish loves increase
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
He sits down with his holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head,
And the caterpillar and fly
Feed on the Mystery.
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat,
And the raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade.
The gods of the earth and sea
Sought through nature to find this tree,
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the human Brain.
----------------------------------
"Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a collection of poems written by William Blake in the late 18th century. The collection consists of two parts, with each part containing a set of poems that are thematically connected. The poems in the "Songs of Innocence" explore the joys and wonder of childhood innocence, while the poems in the "Songs of Experience" explore the dark realities of adulthood.
One of the main themes of the collection is the loss of innocence. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays children as pure and innocent, untouched by the corruption of the world around them. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he portrays the harsh realities of life that strip away this innocence. For example, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake depicts a young boy who is content with his life as a chimney sweep, unaware of the dangers and exploitation he faces. In contrast, in "The Chimney Sweeper" from the "Songs of Experience," the same boy is portrayed as being disillusioned and broken by his experiences.
Another important theme in the collection is the corrupting influence of societal institutions. In the "Songs of Innocence," Blake portrays institutions such as the Church and the monarchy as benevolent and protective. However, in the "Songs of Experience," he exposes their darker side and the way in which they can be used to oppress and exploit individuals. For example, in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Innocence," Blake celebrates the charitable work of the Church. But in "Holy Thursday" from the "Songs of Experience," he exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of the Church and its role in perpetuating poverty and suffering.
Overall, "Songs of Innocence and Experience" is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of innocence, experience, corruption, and societal institutions. Through his poetry, Blake offers a critique of the world around him and highlights the need for individuals to question the status quo and fight against injustice and oppression.