..."The Lamb" Summary The speaker, identifying himself as a child, asks a series of questions of a little lamb, and then answers the questions for the lamb. He asks if the lamb knows who made it, who provides it food to eat, or who gives it warm wool and a pleasant voice. The speaker then tells the lamb that the one who made it is also called “the Lamb” and is the creator of both the lamb and the speaker. He goes on to explain that this Creator is meek and mild, and Himself became a little child. The speaker finishes by blessing the lamb in God’s name. Analysis Each stanza of “The Lamb” has five couplets, typifying the AABB rhyme scheme common to Blake's Innocence poems. By keeping the rhymes simple and close-knit, Blake conveys the tone of childlike wonder and the singsong voice of innocent boys and girls. The soft vowel sounds and repetition of the “l” sound may also convey the soft bleating of a lamb. One of Blake’s most strongly religious poems, “The Lamb” takes the pastoral life of the lamb and fuses it with the Biblical symbolism of Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” By using poetic rhetorical questions, the speaker, who is probably childlike rather than actually a child, creates a sort of lyric catechism in which the existence of both a young boy and a tender lamb stand as proof of a loving, compassionate Creator. The lamb stands in relation to the boy as the boy stands in relation to his elders; each must learn the truth of his existence...
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..."The Tyger" and "The Lamb" by William Blake, written in 1794 included both of these poems in his collection Songs of Innocence and Song of Experience, takes readers on a journey of faith. Through a cycle of unanswered questions, William Blake motivates the readers to question God. These two poems are meant to be interpreted in a comparison and contrast. They share two different perspectives, those being innocence and experience. To Blake, innocence is not better than experience. Both states have their good and bad sides. "The Tyger" is basically the negative reciprocal of "The Lamb" because it challenges God. The main question that Blake is asking in the two poems is that how can the same God make such a vicious animal and also make such an innocent animal. God created all creatures great and small, and he could not have created two creatures more different from each other than the lamb and the tiger. The lamb and the tiger are just vehicles for Blake to express what he feels happens to people as they grow, develop and eventually become perverted by the world around them. In the poems "The Lamb" and "The Tyger," William Blake uses symbolism, figurative language, and regiloious questioning to advance or evoke the theme that God can create good and bad creatures. "The Lamb" is from Songs of Innocence. In choosing a lamb for the subject, Blake immediately establishes this poem of innocence as a religious. "The lamb is made by Christ and is an obvious symbol of the mild and gentle...
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...Poetry Essay MLA “The Lamb” by William Blake Thesis Statement: “The Lamb”, by William Blake, is a joyous Christian poem about one of the most innocent animals created by God; although this poem is mostly about a lamb, it also explains how God has created everything. Outline: I. Introduction A. Thesis B. “Who made thee?” II. William Blake A. Obsessed with lambs B. Originally a child’s song III. Religious Aspect (Theme) A. “For He calls himself a Lamb” B. John 1:29 C. “He became a child” IV. Setting A. My view B. Literal Picture V. Conclusion A. “Little Lamb God bless you!” B. Thesis restated “The Lamb”, by William Blake, is a joyous Christian poem about one of the most innocent animals created by God; although this poem is mostly about a lamb, it also explains how God has created everything. The speaker of the poem, who is suggested to be a child, is talking to the lamb about how it came to be and asking “who made thee?” Even though the child already knows the answer, he wants to see if the lamb knows. Blake’s poem “The Lamb”, shows the goodness of a creator. He also explains that the creator expresses kindness, selflessness, and love. “The Lamb” was written by William Blake, who is an English poet, and it was published in the year 1789. Blake seemed to be obsessed with lambs. Some people think that it was probably because lambs resemble Christ; while others think that it is because they are cute and soft animals. “The Lamb” was originally written...
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...William Blake: The Romantic Most poets have their own writing style. They have been shaped, formed, carved, and given to us through their colored lenses based on the atmosphere they live in. In William Blake’s poetry, there are many instances of repetition of motifs that compare and contrast, transforming his style of poetry from a naive to a more conscious subject and further enhancing his work by his slightly detached nature. Blake is known as one of the greatest poets in history, and was a man of integrity, and soul. He wrote from experience, as well as from the heart. Blake wrote of love, and the peacefulness you come across after the war, whether it be in battle or in life. The majority of Blake’s work was written in the Romanticism...
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...The Lamb Thesis: The Lamb portrays three main themes: childhood (innocents), human nature and spiritual truth. I. The Lamb begins with a child asking a little lamb a question. a. The child asks, “Who made thee” (1). b. Innocents of the boy and lamb. II. The child’s question is of the Lambs origins. a. The question expands open the timeless questions that all human beings have. b. The question of creation. III. The child answers his own question with a riddle, which holds some spiritual truth. a. The riddle is when the boy tells the lamb that someone who calls himself a lamb made him. b. The lamb refers to Jesus Christ. The Lamb by William Blake is a poem like child’s song, in the form of a question and answer. The first stanza of the poem is descriptive which makes it very easy to understand, while the second focuses on abstract spiritual matters and contains explanations and analogies. The poem connects religion with both the human and natural worlds, being associated with the rugged fields and valleys as well as livestock. The Lamb portrays three main themes: childhood (innocents), human nature and spiritual truth. The Lamb begins with a child asking a little lamb a question. One must understand the innocents of the boy when reading, because at first when reading one could think that the boy’s question is naïve. Especially when the child is talking to a lamb...
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...English 12C 12 April 2011 “The Tyger” William Blake had a unique way of writing poems, especially in one of his most famous works, “The Tyger.” His life as a writer, themes, literary techniques, and writing style are all what make “The Tyger” so successful. Born in London on November 28, 1757, William Blake was an English writer, poet, and illustrator during the Romantic period. Blake was the second of five children born to James Blake, a hosier, and Catherine. As a child it was said that Blake would have unusual visions of spirits. Blake began seeing these visions at the age of eight (“Overview”). Blake had no formal education, being home schooled until the age of ten. Blake learned to read and write at home. When Blake was ten, he was sent to Henry Par’s drawing school to study art. Later Blake was apprenticed to an engraver, James Basire. During his apprenticeship, Blake was sent to Westminster Abbey where he drew monuments for Basire (“Overview”). According to, “Overview of William Blake,” “the Gothic atmosphere of the church influenced Blake’s imagination and his artistic style.” Blake then began writing poetry. After leaving his apprenticeship in 1779, Blake enrolled at the Royal Academy just before starting his life as an engraver (“Overview”). On August 18, 1782, Blake married Catherine Boucher. Blake taught her to read, write, and make prints of his engravings. Blake was introduced to Harriet Mathew, who encouraged Blake to have some of his poetry published. Fifty...
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...Thesis: In the poem “The Lamb” by William Blake is a lyric poem in which the author marvels at the love, wonder and innocents of a child as the child in turns marvels at the love of a creator and all that the creator has created. 1. Intro a. Thesis b. Curiosity of a child 1. Lyric Poem a. Expresses personal or emotional feelings b. Traditionally in the present tense c. Have a specific rhyming scheme 2. A creator’s love for all that he has created a. Invites the lamb to eat in the valley b. A life blessed with out worries c. Bright soft wooly clothing 3. Innocents of a child a. Amazement at the lamb itself b. He calls Himself a lamb c. He became a child d. Comparison of the child’s personality traits to those of a lamb and those of their creator 4. Setting a. Peaceful meadow b. A quiet resting place c. Soothing tones throughout the poem 5. Conclusion a. Little lamb God bless you Running Head: Poetry Thesis 1 Poetry Thesis Engl 102: Literature and Composition Summer D 2013 Regina M. Carroll ID#24487654 APA Format ...
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...William Blake Within his Poetry During the Romantic Era, William Blake demonstrated a unique way of viewing the world, that was easily separated from the normal way of thinking. His poetry along with the ideas he expressed have influenced a countless number of individuals to see the world as it truly is: beautiful but corrupted by oppression. William Blake lived his life in poverty, finding his only comfort within the confines of his work; therefore, there is no doubt that his poetry reflected his life and ideals. Through his childhood, obsession with art, and the way in which he saw the world, William Blake conveyed his life and beliefs within the many stanzas he wrote. Throughout his childhood, William Blake demonstrated an immense amount...
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...15 June 2015 I. Thesis Statement In “The Lamb” by William Blake, the poet poses the question of creation and uses personification to convey characteristics of humility and Christianity. II. Sound structure A. Two part stanza B. Author addresses the lamb C. Sestet asks questions about creation III. Linguistic structure uses rhyme, repetition and personification A. feed/mead, delight/bright, voice/rejoice, mild/child B. repeats = thee, lamb, name C. structure helps enhance understanding IV. Design of poem is predictable, happy and joyful A. Not difficult to understand B. Biblical reference, where the author references Jesus calling himself a Lamb. C. Author gives praise to Jesus for becoming a child, “He became a little child.” (line 16) V. Second stanza answers the creation question raised in the first stanza. A. Author uses symbolism of lamb to represent Jesus. B. “called by his name” (line 18) refers to Christians, who are named after Christ and exhibit his characteristics. C. Author uses biblical allusion throughout the poem and ends by extending blessings from God to the lamb. Nikki Bowman Professor Downie ENGL 102 Section B33 15 June 2015 Revealing the Creator in William Blake’s “The Lamb” In William Blake’s “The Lamb” the title gives way to the central theme and meaning for the poem. The speaker in the poem immediately poses the creation question to a lamb. The lamb is a symbol used frequently throughout the Bible...
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...as long as people have been able to communicate, and it has been up to literary artists and experts to explore this fascinating topic. At the forefront of the Romantic Period, poet and painter William Blake took it upon himself to apply his philosophical beliefs and religious values in taking on this vast and broad matter. Through his utilization of symbolism and questioning, Blake examines the mysteries of human existence. Before diving into Blake’s works revolving around existentialism, it is of value to take an initial glance at...
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...William Blake “the Tyger” "The Tyger In this counterpart poem to “The Lamb” in Songs of Innocence Blake offers another view of God through His creation. Whereas the lamb implied God's tenderness and mercy, the tiger suggests His ferocity and power. In the poem ‘The Tyger” by William Blake written in 1794 William Blake utilizes quatrains in a fairytale like structure to highlight the triumphant human awareness in this hymn of purity. Blake lived a very religious life “The Blakes were dissenters and believed to have belonged to the Moravian Church.” I believe this influenced blakes life because the tiger in the poem “The Tyger” symbolizes how soft and cute it is, then tells it that God made it and how wonderful that is. This also influenced blake to question religion, politics, poetry itself, history, science, and philosophy. Even today “The Tyger” is read today “elementary students read it because it rhymes and it talks about tiger and high school students read it because of the difficulty”. The poem is very helpful and inspirational for both students and adults. “The tyger” was published with a series of poems called the “songs of experience” in 1794. Blake wrote these poems during the radical period which was a time of passion and imagination. The passion and imagination were the things that influenced blake to write. William blake uses alliteration in the poem “ Tyger Tyger burning bright” he uses it with the t’s and the b’s. The poem consists of six...
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...The Lamb” by William Blake Poetry Thesis and Outline I. Introduction – a. Thesis: Blake’s “The Lamb” is a Christian based poem that encompasses several components of Christ’s powerful character. b. Transition 2. Theme – Powerful characteristics of the Lamb a. Jesus the little Lamb, creator of the world (line 1) b. Jesus the little Lamb, provider of the world (line 3) c. Jesus the little Lamb, protector (line 4) stream and o’er the mead parallels to valleys d. Jesus the little Lamb, light of the world (6) e. Jesus the little Lamb, meek and mild (line 15) f. Jesus the little Lamb, child (16) savior of the world g. Jesus the little Lamb, sustainer of the world (line 3) h. Jesus the little Lamb takes away sin (line 14) “For he calls himself a Lamb.” i. Jesus the little Lamb, gentle (line 15 & 16) 3. Title- Christian based title encompassing several components of Christ’s powerful character. a. The Lamb title is important to the context of the poem and sets the tone. b. The Lamb – meaning is Jesus. Originally, published as an art work with a young boy feeding the lambs surrounded by branches and intertwined trees beside a small stream. Context of title supports the Lamb’s powerful characteristics of provider, gentle, light of the world and sustainer as the picture portrays all things working in harmony and unity. c. The Lamb – context is Jesus and spiritual providing insight to the character of God through the descriptions of the Lamb. 4. Setting...
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...9, 2014 Enc1102 The Lamb and The Tyger In William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience we are shown a comparison of nature. The innocent ‘lamb’ and the ferocious ‘Tyger’ are designed to be interpreted in comparison with each other. In the poems "The Lamb" and "The Tyger," William Blake uses symbolism, tone, and rhyme to express the theme that God can create good and bad creatures. The poem "The Lamb" was in Blake's "Songs of Innocence," which was published in 1789.While, "The Tyger," was in his "Songs of Experience," which was published in 1794. Blake's lamb and tiger symbolize two opposite views of God: the creator of good and evil. In "The Lamb," Blake uses the symbol of the lamb to paint a picture of innocence. The lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ. The poem begins with the question, Little Lamb who made Thee?” the speaker, a child, asks the lamb about its origins and who provided him with life, food, clothes, his “tender voice”. Then the Lamb answers his own questions: “He is called by thy name, For He calls Himself a Lamb.” one who resembles in his gentleness both the child and the lamb. A lamb is a very meek and mild creature, which could be why Blake chose to use this animal to describe God's giving side. He even refers to God as being meek and mild in line fifteen: "He is meek, and he is mild." And then goes on and sends his blessings. In this poem, Blake wants to shows all the good things created by god. In ‘The Tyger’ Blake describes the tiger as being...
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...poem, The Tyger, written by British poet, William Blake he chooses Tyger versus Lamb to develop a sense of strength versus frailty. How these two animals, who are the complete opposite of each other, could possibly have been made by the same creator. William Blake does this by using imagery, symbolism and repetition in this poem. By looking deeper into this poem, I will emphasize these points and provide evidence to support these ideas. By seeing the Tyger as big and ferocious and the Lamb as small and innocent the perception of opposition is created. Blake refers to the Tyger as a fearsome beast by writing “Tyger! Tyger! burning bright in the forests night,” as well as “In what distant deeps or skies burnt the fire of thine eyes?” The color contrast of the Tyger and its eyes that shine in the night reflect the image of fiery and strong. Further in the poem the lamb makes an appearance when Blake writes, “Did he who made the lamb make thee?” asking the reader to consider that the same creator made both creatures. “When the stars threw down their spears and watered heaven with their tears,” reveals that the lamb was made of another element, water. The speaker then refers to fire once again when additionally in the poem, Blake describes how the Tyger is created. Using the image of a Blacksmith to portray the creator by using such words as “hammer”, “chain”, and “anvil” to give readers this illusion. Another form William Blake uses is symbolism. The symbol of the Tyger...
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...on Poetry ENGL 102: Composition and Literature Fall 2010 Nathan Johnson APA Format Abstract (Thesis Statement) Thesis: William Blake uses several literary devices in “The Lamb” to portray spiritual truths about Christianity. I. Introduction A. The Characteristics of Lambs 1. In Literature 2. In the Bible B. Blake’s use of the lamb 1. As a symbol in the Poem II. Body A. The use of symbolism as a literary device 1. The Lamb as a symbol for Christ 2. The Lamb as a symbol for Christians B. The use of imagery as a literary device 1. Mental images of lines 3-4 in the poem 2. Images of lines 15-16 III. Conclusion A. Restatement of thesis B. Closing remarks Lambs are considered to be innocent and gentle animals. They are gentle creatures that are submissive and yet daring. Words that are often associated with lambs tend to evoke a sense of calmness and peace. In literature lambs are usually used to symbolize gentleness, meekness and even innocence. Even in the Bible the lamb is used to symbolize ultimate goodness and purity. Countless times in the Bible the lamb is used as a reference for Jesus Christ, and His people. Often Jesus is referred as a shepherd tending and looking for His sheep. Christ is also called the Lamb of God. William Blake uses the poem “The Lamb” to bring up life’s ultimate questions through the voice of a child. Questions that have plagued man since the beginning of time like...
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