William Blake
Born: 28 November 1757 Soho, London, England
Died: 12 August 1827 (aged 69) Charing Cross, London, England
Occupation: Poet, Painter, Printmaker​
Literary movement: Romanticism
Spouse: Catherine Boucher​ (m. 1782)
William Blake (1757–1827) was a visionary poet, artist, and printmaker, whose work remains influential for its spiritual depth and imaginative scope. His Songs of Innocence, published in 1789, is a collection of poems that explores the world through the eyes of a child, capturing themes of purity, joy, and divine protection. The poems often feature pastoral imagery—lambs, children, and shepherds—which serve as symbols of innocence and spiritual simplicity.
However, Songs of Innocence is not merely an idealized view of childhood. Beneath the surface lies a subtle critique of societal ills, such as the exploitation of children, as seen in poems like “The Chimney Sweeper.” In this and other works, Blake juxtaposes the innocence of the young with the harsh realities they endure, particularly in the context of 18th-century England’s class divides and industrialization. His works reflect a unique view of God and spirituality, portraying divinity as intertwined with human imagination and creativity​.
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Blake’s vision extends beyond conventional religious teachings, positioning the imagination as central to the divine experience. His Songs of Innocence, later paired with Songs of Experience (1794), contrasts a state of pure innocence with the more complex, often disillusioned world of experience, offering a rich commentary on the dualities of human life​.
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Works Cited
“Analysis of William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience.” Literary Theory and Criticism, 22 March 2021. https://literariness.org.
“Songs of Innocence by William Blake - Summary & Analysis.” EnglishLiterature.info, 2021. https://www.englishliterature.info.