Songs of Innocence and Experience

Songs of Innocence and Experience

Antiquarian Movement in literature was marked by interest of and poets in antiquities which influenced literary traditions . William Blake 's Songs of Innocence and Experience ' were written during the historical period characterized by radical political ideas and philosophical changes . As a part of Antiquarian Movement `Songs of Innocence and Experience ' reflect emotional and visionary representation , unique imaginary and individual experience . Following antique , Black opposes different worlds : pastoral world against corruption , the world of childhood against the world of adults Emotional appeal is another important element of

these poems . Although many s combined with political and social criticism of the epoch create a unique vision of reality and reflect traditions of antiquities . Also , Blake uses Biblical symbolism and themes in many poems . Antiquarian Movement is apparent in meter and rhythm used by the poet : nursery rhymes , ballads , and hymns . Ornate language is another element of Antiquarian Movement helping Blake to shape specific atmosphere of these poems

Folk traditions are reflected in pastoral scenes and characters , symbols and objects . For instance , Blake opens the poems with : Little Lamb who made thee / Dost thou know who made thee (Blake . In some poems , Blake portrays Jesus Christ as a lamb "he is meek and he is mild (Blake 2001 ) which represents purity and celestial nature . The themes of innocent and childhood is closely connected with human experience which described as an opposition of good and evil nature of people . For instance , in The Tiger ' Blake depicts confrontation between universal evil and goodness which innocence fails to oppose . Blake questions What immortal hand or eye / Dare frame thy fearful symmetry (Blake 2001 . Many of the poems are based on the theme of nature and pastoral world . Blake does not depict the world as he sees but uses metaphors and similes to make emotional and colorful . For instance of lambs in divine meadows and the tiger , divine nature of the world and the image of God as a creator are the main folk elements of these poems

References

Blake , W . Songs of Innocence and Experience . 2001 . Available at http /www .gutenberg .org /dirs /etext99 /sinex10 .txt

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