William Blake

1757 - 1827 *

early visionary poet of the Romantic period

William Blake is often considered a prophet that was ignored by his contemporary society. One of the earliest poets of the Romanticism movement, his poetry insisted that readers should realise their perception of reality is crafted by means other than their eyes - that if we relied on superficial vision alone we would be mislead by the myths our world presented.

Many have thought Blake mad. He lived on the edge of poverty and died in neglect. Although is poetry received little acclaim while he was alive, Blake's work is now accepted as being some of the most strikingly original bodies of literary work.

In addition to his poetric works, Blake was an accomplished painter and engraver. He developed a unique form of illuminated painting.

          Source: Classics Network Editorial Team

British poet, painter, visionary mystic, and engraver, who illustrated and printed his own books. Blake proclaimed the supremacy of the imagination over the rationalism and materialism of the 18th-century. He joined for a time the Swedenborgian Church of the New Jerusalem in London and considered Newtonian science to be superstitious nonsense. Misunderstanding shadowed his career as a writer and artist and it was left to later generations to recognize his importance.

To see a world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And e... [read entire biography]

          Source: Public Domain

BLAKE, WILLIAM (1757—1827), English poet and painter, was born in London, on the 28th of November 1757. His father, James Blake, kept a hosier’s shop in Broad Street, Golden Square; and from the scanty education which the young artist received, it may be judged that the circumstances of the family were not very prosperous. For the facts of William Blake’s early life the world is indebted to a little book, called A Father’s Iviemoirs on a Child,’ written by Dr Malkin in 1806. Here we learn that y... [read entire biography]

          Source: Public Domain

These essays offer analysis of the author's life and works. Many of them have been submitted by users, and are assigned an Editorial Rating on a scale from one to five stars to assist you in evaluating their worth. See also: Note on Essays, Editorial Policy.

     

My Vision’s Greatest Enemy - Culture in Blake -- Discusses the representation of cultural identity in Blake's work, including 'The Everlasting Gospel', 'The Tyger', 'Mock on' and 'The Crystal Cabinet'
By Andrew Nicol, Student	Editorial Rating:

To what Extent are Romantic Attitudes towards Poetry and the Role of the Poet Evident in the work of Blake, Shelly or Keats? -- A disscussive essay on Blake's role as a Romantic poet and adherence to Romantic ideology.
By Sam McBride, High School Student	Editorial Rating:

'Dip him in the river who loves water' -- An examination of the two contraries in Blake's "Marriage of Heaven and Hell"
By Skylar Burris, Masters Student	Editorial Rating:

William Blake's "London" -What is a Poem's "context"? -- An attempty to understand how a poem can be viewed as an object and yet be elucidated by considering the author's works in general
By Julian Scutts, Student	Editorial Rating:

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: Romantic -- Blake's attempt at reconciliation between good and evil
By Jackie Leslie, Student	Editorial Rating:

Cultural Identity in the Poetry of Blake -- Contextual issues and issues of cultural identity are addressed in this examination of William Blake's poetry.
By grif, Student	Editorial Rating:

William Blake Historical Context -- An evaluation of the ideologies of Blake's informing context.
By grif, Student	Editorial Rating:

Blake's use of traditional form to express his views on the Church and wider Establishment -- Examines the role of the Church and the Establishment in society from the point of view of the use of the poetry form, especially the technique of rhythm.
By Alastair Lagrange, Student	Editorial Rating:

Extrapolation of Varied Interpretations of Blake's "The Garden of Love" through Examination of the Main Theme -- "The Garden of Love" uses carefully-written, highly suggestive language to represent Blake's views of the Church and its values in an intense and compressed way. This language allows for a wide range of varied interpretations
By DaRabbit, Student	Editorial Rating:

Narrative Situation on "Garden of Love" -- Is there a clear narrative in William Blake's "Garden of Love?" Using evidence from the poem, talk about the speaker and kind of experience the poem is trying to capture. What stage of life has the speaker reached?
By Kenneth Kwan, Student	Editorial Rating:

“She Talks About Closure...” -- closure as a literary device used in Blake's poetry
By James Cox, Student	Editorial Rating:

William Blake as an illustrator of cultural identity and myths -- respresentation of cultural identities and cultural myths in Blake's poetry
By James Cox, Student	Editorial Rating:

The Analysis of William Blake's 'The Garden of Love' -- A simple view on the poem's imagery combined with Blake's view's on the world.
By Veronika Pell,	Editorial Rating:

Clod and the Pebble - Notes -- Some notes which analyse the key elements of Blake's poem 'The Clod and the Pebble'
By Andrew Nicol, Student	Editorial Rating:

"The Tyger" and "The Lamb" -- The Links between Blake's "The Tyger" and "The Lamb"
By DaRabbit, Student	Editorial Rating:

Notes on The Gates of Paradise by William Blake -- Study notes on techniques used and meaning of The Gates of Paradise by Blake.
By James Cox, Student	Editorial Rating:

     

Miscellaneous

		WILLIAM BLAKE AND THE ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT -- very good overview of Blake's illuminated printing http://web.uvic.ca/~ckeep/hf10234/html Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 1137 4 users have rated it an average of 4 stars     [rate it] THE WILLIAM BLAKE PAGE -- beautifully constructed and very through page on Blak'e works http://members.aa.net/~urizen/blake2.htm... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 3532 8 users have rated it an average of 2.75 stars     [rate it]

     

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Additional searches

Blake at Encarta Encyclopedia

Blake at Britannica Encyclopedia

Blake at Xrefer.com