About William Blake
Blake was born on 28th November, 1757. Unlike many famous writers of his time, Blake was born into a middle-class family. His father, James, was a hosiery manufacturer and his family lived in 28 Broad Street, a “respectable” part of London. James and Catherine Wright Blake had seven children, but only five of them survived. A poet, as well as a supporter of the arts, and a forerunner, William Blake worked to change both social order and the minds of society. While his work was largely ignored or dismissed during his lifetime, he is now regarded as one of the foremost British poets. Alexander Gilchrist warned readers in his Life of William Blake (1863) “Blake did not write or paint for the masses, not for ordinary people, but for children and angels. He himself was a ‘child of God’ who used the sun, moon, stars, heaven and earth as his inspiration.” Poetry Foundation (2024).
Social Historical Context
Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence” was first published in 1863. This poem is connected to the English Romantic period because this poem talks about the impact brought by the social and political disruptions that occurred in Britain in the late 18th and 19th centuries, particularly the Industrial Revolution and French Revolution. From 123rd to 124th line of the poem ‘Some are born to sweet delight’ and ‘Some are born to Endless Night’ this line expresses the Romantic encounter with the social issues like social reform and changes mainly industrial revolution. The fact that the poem is divided into “Sweet Delight” and “Endless Night” suggests the unequal distribution of happiness and suffering in society, highlighting the differences between the upper social classes and lower class.
Poem Analysis
The poem that will be looked into is ‘Auguries of Innocence’ by William Blake. It is centered on innocence and experience. the poet supports his opinion by saying that the natural world is in a constant state of circulation. The world that is reborn and recreated in nature symbolizes the innocence of humans that is forgotten and pushed away as they become adults. The book explores the value and limitations of human perspectives set against the cycles of nature, which despite growing older and more experienced, in some cases remain untouched and pure. Throughout the poem, Blake’s anger at the corruption of his country and humanity is almost noticeable. This is a characteristic of Blake’s style, which is largely symbolic, critical and forceful (Dalli, 2016).
Whittaker (2010), reviewed that the poem embodies the ideals of the Romantic movement, which emphasized imagination, emotions and nature over reason and logic. The connection between “Auguries of Innocence” can be drawn with the “The Tyger” and “The Lamb” through complex connection between mankind and the natural world.
Poem Structure
The structure of this poem is in free verse and the first four line contains an external rhyme scheme and the rest are in rough rhyme scheme. This poem is written in one long stanza containing 132 lines.
Literary Devices
Some of the literary devices I found in this poem are:
- Alliteration in 98th line “Came from Caesars Laurel Crown”
- Repetition in 122nd and 123rd line “Some are Born to sweet delight/Some are Born to sweet delight”
- Symbol “Rising Sun”
- Metaphor in 132nd line “Realm of day”
- Simile in 100th line “Like to the Armours iron brace”
Theme
The main theme of this poem can be concluded as Religion and Identity where the
poet criticizes religious values such as
mercy, pity, love, and the faith of money because of the corrupted Bishops and
nuns of the Church of England.
Reference
Dalli, E. (2016). Auguries of Innocence by William Blake. Poem Analysis.
Poetry Foundation. (2024). William Blake.
Whittaker, J. (2010). William Blake’s Poetry: A reader’s guide.
To see a World in a Grain of SandAnd a Heaven in a Wild Flower Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hourA Robin Red breast in a CagePuts all Heaven in a Rage A Dove house filld with Doves & PigeonsShudders Hell thr’ all its regions A dog starvd…
