William Blake (1757-1827) as Artist• William Blake is a visual artist FIRST and a poet

second – his poetry serves his engravings• Lower class origins • Nearly unknown in his lifetime – he is very

influenced by earlier writers and artists, but has no effect about others until 20th C

• Wildly original theology – God is “universal man,” and the original sin is human falling away from unity with one another into self-sufficiency– Poetry can provide insight into human condition, and is

potentially redemptive or salvific

Title PageFromSongs ofInnocence

Intro toSongs ofInnocence

“The Lamb”fromSongs ofInnocence

“Holy Thursday”fromSongs ofInnocence

“InfantJoy” fromSongs of Innocence

Title pagefrom 2nd

Edition-- bothInnocence andExperience

Note that this is the Expulsion from theGardenof Eden.

Title pagefrom Songs of Experience

“A PoisonTree” fromSong ofExperience

“London” fromSongs ofExperience

“The Tyger”fromSongs ofExperience

Title Pagefrom “Marriage of Heavenand Hell”