Specify Books As Songs of Innocence and of Experience
| Original Title: | Songs of Innocence and of Experience: Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul |
| ISBN: | 1420925806 (ISBN13: 9781420925807) |
| Edition Language: | English |
William Blake
Paperback | Pages: 56 pages Rating: 4.11 | 37003 Users | 794 Reviews
Narrative In Favor Of Books Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Two contrary states of the human soulThe moon like a flower,
In Heavens high bower;
With silent delight,
Sits and smiles on the night.
(Night)
At times the weight of the reputation of an artist is that intimidating I can barely overcome trepidation to venture into approaching his or her work. William Blake is such an artist. So when this lovely little book arrived in the letter box as a birthday present, it felt like a sweet little heartening push, giving me the courage to dive into the refreshing water of the unknown, holding the promise of a thrilling encounter with the imagination of supreme mind.
Unsure what to expect and what those two parts – innocence and experience – would stand for, making Blake’s acquaintance was a highly rewarding reading experience I cannot really compare to any other I had before.
From innocence, which seems mostly the one of childhood, symbolised by scenes on infants, children, a shepherd, mothers in a pastoral setting, the transition to experience is evocated by a darkening mood and tone, in which consciousness rises of the adult world in which danger, menace , anxiety undeniably will encumber happiness and joy and where comfort is hard to find – for adults nor for children.
The powerful imagery is replete with fauna and flora, happiness and joy take the shape of a sparrow, a lamb, a robin, a grasshopper, a rose, spring, green fields, sweet sleep. Revolving to experience, a child is hungry, sweet flowers in the Garden of Love have changed into graves and tombstones, youthfulness dissolves, the narrative voice bemoans the multitudinous forms of human woe and suffering in London (‘The mind-forg’d manacles I hear’). A rose is tainted at the core. A mighty tiger roars, reminding of the mysterium tremendum et fascinans characterizing the religious experience of transcendence.
At the first read I was particularly enthralled by the compelling, sublime musicality of the rhymes and the dynamics of the verses (it is thought that Blake set several of the verses to his own tunes, no scores have survived however). These are poems one can imagine a joy to learn and know by heart. In a second read, now having read the illuminating introduction which gives insight into the patterns of ‘contrary’ or answering poems in both parts of the book and the contrasts existing within the poems themselves, pointing at the the puzzling ambiguities, the contrary energies flowing through the poems, the angle of the brilliant mirroring interconnectivity of the composition was a delightful one, and I can easily imagine a third read will unveil other aspects.
The beauteous edition I read draws on the version sold by his wife Catherine Boucher to the Bishop of Limerick in 1830 which ended up into the hands of E.M. Forster, offering it to King’s College, Cambridge – on the left page a literal transcription of each poem is printed, on the right page a reproduction of the original illustrated plate (the designs are not just for embellishment of the poems but intrinsically part of Blake’s poetic imagination).
Absorbing the combination of both the words and the quaint images of Blake’s ‘illuminated printing’ at the same time proved ineffectual for me at the first read, so this gem volunteered as a new nightstand companion. At the moment it might be mostly obscure to me, but perhaps the more complex and mysterious meanings of the verses will further show upon rereading and exploring Blake more in depth.
Youth of delight! come hither
And see the opening morn,
Image of Truth new-born.
Doubt is fled, and clouds of reason,
Dark disputes and artful teazing.
Folly is an endless maze;
Tangled roots perplex her ways;
How many have fallen there!
They stumble all night over bones of the dead;
And feel—they know not what but care;
And wish to lead others, when they should be led.
(The Voice of the Ancient Bard)
Details Regarding Books Songs of Innocence and of Experience
| Title | : | Songs of Innocence and of Experience |
| Author | : | William Blake |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 56 pages |
| Published | : | January 1st 2005 by Digireads.com (first published 1789) |
| Categories | : | Poetry. Classics. Fiction. Literature. 18th Century |
Rating Regarding Books Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Ratings: 4.11 From 37003 Users | 794 ReviewsWrite-Up Regarding Books Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright, In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry?I dont think I would dare give any collection of poems that contains the above lines anything less than five stars. Luckily, although every poem isnt a winner for me (cough*Laughing Song*cough), there are so many immortal poems in this collection that I dont feel the least bit guilty for giving the collection the full five stars. I started collecting some of my favorite lines toSongs of innocence and of experience is an illustrated collection of poems printed and illuminated by William Blake himself in 1789. He was strongly inspired by the excesses of violence during the French revolution in 1794. The first part of the collection is intended for the childhood period, the highlighting of innocence and childhood dreams. The second part is rather devoted to adulthood "experience". I was impressed by the entire collection, admired by the description and metaphors used by
Annnnnnnnnnnddddd I remember why I got a B in poetry. I just don't get some of this stuff. (Well, that and I quit the class halfway through but shhhhhh.) A few poems I found excellent; a few I found "too cute" in the trite sense; and the majority I just went 'um, well, okay then.' So two stars it is.
Seen in this week's Private Eye:Tiger! Tiger! Burning brightIn the middle of the nightWhat on earth was going on?Perhaps we will never knowfrom Songs of Innocent Until Proven Guilty
Billy Blake Who Made Thee? Poet Poet, burning bright, In the stanzas of the night; What romantic coquetry, Could frame thy fearful poetry?In what distant when or whys, roll'd the epic of thine eyes?On wet verse dare he aspire?What poet's hand, robs Shelly's pyre?And what meter, & what art,Could twist the cadence of thy heart?And when thy heart began to beat,What dread iambs? & what dread feet?What the motif? what the type, In what belly was thy gripe?What the image? what simile, Dare its
Two contrary states of the human soul The moon like a flower,In Heavens high bower;With silent delight,Sits and smiles on the night.(Night)At times the weight of the reputation of an artist is that intimidating I can barely overcome trepidation to venture into approaching his or her work. William Blake is such an artist. So when this lovely little book arrived in the letter box as a birthday present, it felt like a sweet little heartening push, giving me the courage to dive into the refreshing
I adore William Blake's poetry and this illustrated collection is fantastic. Unlike other British poets from centuries back (like John Donne for example), his text is usually far easier to read even without a thesaurus and always delightful and full of imagery. a Must!
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