Every era produces a number of inventive minds and creative talent. A question that often arises is: what defines a great artist? Is it the popularity of his work? An artist's success or failure largely depends on the reception of his creations. There are many defining characteristics of a true artist, but one of the most important is his ability to reflect the times in which he lives. A poet's task, in particular, is to take the everyday ordinary and create beauty from it. The work of William Blake accomplishes this better than any other poet of his time. Blake's poetry reveals the nature of nineteenth century London by displaying through images, words and symbols the social and economic struggles wrought by Revolution. Various references to the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution appear either directly or in symbol throughout Blake's work. His reaction to such circumstances is evident as he, along with other artists of the era, retreats from the cold realities of daily life into lands of romantic-style contemplation. He does however, manage to keep things in perspective and never turn a blind eye to reality.
William Blake was a passionate radical. He believed in peace and equality for all. Black people living in Britain at the time suffered a good deal of discrimination. As far back as the seventeenth century, anything dark in color, including people, was associated with evil. Well into the twentieth century, schoolchildren were taught that black people were inferior, ignorant, and utterly dependent.
[...] Images of Nineteenth Century London in the Poetry of William Blake Every era produces a number of inventive minds and creative talent. A question that often arises is: what defines a great artist? Is it the popularity of his work? An artist's success or failure largely depends on the reception of his creations. There are many defining characteristics of a true artist, but one of the most important is his ability to reflect the times in which he lives. A poet's task, in particular, is to take the everyday ordinary and create beauty from it. [...]
[...] "Themes of Rebellion in William Blake and Arthur Rimbaud." French Review (1973): 750-761. Web Apr Punter, David. "Blake and the Shapes of London." Criticism (1981): 23. Web Apr "Racist Ideas." Port Cities Bristol. Britol City Council, n.d. Web April 2013. [...]
[...] Despite unthinkable horrors, prisoners still managed to create beauty and even some masterpieces. In an age of darkness and uncertainty, Romantic poet William Blake accomplishes one of the primary tasks of any artist: to reflect his surroundings and circumstances in his art. Blake's poetry reveals the nature of nineteenth century London by displaying through images, words and symbols the social and economic struggles wrought by Revolution. Works Cited Bronowski, Jacob. William Blake and the Age of Revolution. London: Routledge and K. Paul Print. David V. [...]
[...] They visited the countryside (literally or figuratively) and relished in whatever peace and innocence they could afford. William Blake does this in his poetry, but there is always something dark and ominous lurking in the background. Behind his beautiful imagery and delightful rhyme schemes lingers the unavoidable knowledge that reality is far from being ideal. Many of his works produce a melancholy air, but, like the boy in the “Chimney Sweeper,” he still strives to find a ray of hope. Blake's attitude in this respect reflects the nature of man. [...]
[...] Songs of Experience rings full of melancholy over the Industrial Age. is one of Blake's most well-known pieces from this set. It takes the reader straight into the depths of the mines and through the noisy, hot forges to see the plagues wrought by the demand for material goods. In this poem particularly, the poet often glances to the wealthy which he describes in the lines, hapless Soldier's sigh/runs in blood down the Palace walls.” Clearly, he not only blames God for the misery notable in each man's face, but he attributes it in part to the corrupted political leaders with their selfish aims and skirmishes that so repress the citizens of London. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
