William Blake

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William Blake

William Blake was a revolutionary author who was not afraid to express hie views in a time where criticism was a huge part of determining one's life. Blake used his religious beliefs and his self proclaimed messenger to portray his thoughts in his poem. Poems such as ""The Tyger ", ""The Lamb "", and "The Sick Rose "are classic examples of his work.

William Blake was born in London, November 28, 1757. His father, James Blake, was a London hosier. His mother's maiden name was Catherine Harmitage. William had three brothers and a sister. His older brother took over his father's hosiery business. His younger brothers were besaught with tragedy. John died young. The youngest, Robert, was dear to William, as he also had artistic leanings. He died of an illness at the age of 21. Another brother, Richard, died in infancy. He began his artistic career at an early age, as when he was 10, his father sent him to Henry Par's drawing school in the Strand. In August 1772, he became an apprentice of Basire the engraver. For the next seven years, he learned the fine arts of engraving, etching, stippling and copying. With his apprenticeship completed, he set out at 21 to earn his living as a professional engraver. Two years later, he met his future wife, Catherine Boucher, who was the illiterate daughter of a Battersea market-gardener. They married on August 18, 1782. She learned to paint and draw, but remained illiterate, and childless until her death in 1831. In 1783, he published his first volume of poetry, Poetical Sketches, for his friends. The next year, he started a print shop with a former fellow apprentice, but it soon failed.

In 1788 he began to experiment with a new method of printing from etched copper plates. ...

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...lled by a tiny worm. It is quick, short, and succint. He may have been going through some emotional difficulty, as the last lines of the poem talk about love being destroyed. His use of metaphors are brilliant in such a short poem, and is quite a catchy tune. However, it is also very subtle, and unless one knows the background of Blake, the religious undertones can be missed. Blake feels that love must be nurtured and grown, and since he felt he had a special relationship with god, no doubt some tragedy has happened that has made him lose faith.

"The Lamb", "The Tyger ", and "The Sick Rose "all are brilliant writings of a brilliant yet eccentric man. William Blake uses his life and his views and portrays them in his poetry, and though many people may find him arrogant and childish, he is still a man who could share his feelings with the rest of the world.

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