V6 Alquin Romanticism 48-57 William Blake

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

• Poet and artist (trained as an artist). 
• He illustrated his books himself.
  
• Happy, but childless marriage
  
• Radical political ideas
  
• Pronounced failure during life
  
• Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience
  
• The Lamb and The Tyger
  
• Two poems titled The Chimney Sweeper.
  

William Blake

The Schoolboy

This poem depends upon three inter-related images, the schoolboy, the bird and the plant. All three are dependent upon, or vulnerable to, the way in which they are treated by human beings. Explain!

Today:

The Chimney Sweeper by William Blake

• William Blake wrote two poems which he both called 'The Chimney Sweeper'
  
• The first poem was published in 1789, the second one in 1794.
  
• Both poems address the fate of young chimney sweepers from the 18th and 19th century who were often 'sold' by their parents to work in miserable conditions sweeping chimneys

What is meant with 'weep!' 'weep!' 'weep!' in line 3?

Explain why he says: ''in soot I sleep'' in line 4

Illusion:

dreamworld - escape from reality - optimistic outlook on life

Disillusion:

bitterness - distrust - accusation - awareness of circumstances - sarcasm

        William Blake

The Tyger

Which of the following statements best summarizes how Blake describes the tiger?

1. Blake depicts the tiger as a fearsome, dangerous animal that should be avoided.
2. Blake describes the tiger in terms of its light and dark elements.
3. Blake depicts the tiger as an awe-inspiring creature made artfully with powerful elements.
4. Blake describes the tiger as a peaceful part of nature that is unchallenged by its own origins.

How does the line “Did He who make the Lamb make thee?” contribute to the the development of the poem?

1. It implies that the tiger is actually a gentle creature like the lamb’s namesake, Jesus Christ.
2. It implies that God is cruel for making a dangerous tiger that can tear an innocent lamb to pieces.
3. It questions the judgment of a creator that would create such vastly different animals with such different components.
4. It reveals the creator’s incomprehensible motivation to create both a powerful creature like the tiger and a weak creature like the lamb.

Which of the following statements best describes the author’s purpose in this poem?

1. The author aims to explore the question of existence and how things came to be as they are.
2. The author aims to talk about biology and evolution by posing questions in a spiritual way.
3. The author aims to reveal a gap in human knowledge regarding where life came from.
4. The author aims to prove that only a higher power could create such a magnificent creature as the tiger.

How is the tiger described in stanzas 2, 3 and 4?

Which characteristics of Romantic poetry can you find in this poem?

What immortal hand or eye / Could frame thy fearful symmetry? ------ Who do the immortal hand and eye belong to?

1. The Universe
2. The Christian God
3. Greek god/goddess
4. Mother Earth

Did He who made the lamb make thee?------ Who does the lamb refer to?

1. Jesus
2. A lamb is a lamb is a lamb
3. An innocent human being
4. A harmless human being