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Archetypes Used In William Blake's Poetry

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William Blake was one of the most influential writers to come from the romantic period. Writers and artists who rose from this time period were more free spirited and focused more on philosophy than religion. LIke many from his time, William Blake wrote about society and nature; what was in his heart. “All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own”(Wolfgang von Goethe). This statement represents the way of thinking in the romantic era, writes such as Blake wrote what was in their own hearts. Blake is most well known for his use of archetypes in his writings. Archetypes are ideas with emotional power, plot pattern, or character types, usually in a symbolic form. In William Blake’s four poems: The Lamb, The Tyger, The Chimney Sweeper, and Infant sorrow; Blake uses archetypes. …show more content…

In this poem, innocence is represented by the lamb. The poem, in its entirety, uses childlike techniques and a soft, defenseless animal as his archetype to show innocence. The poem uses repetition and simple words to declare its purpose. These points are shown when William blake states, “Little Lamb who made thee Dost thou know who made thee.” (Page 748 Line 1) The archetypes in this poem represent the idea of innocence. The idea of innocence comes from Blake’s Songs of innocence and songs of experience.

In contradiction, William Blake’s poem, The Tyger, shows the use of archetypes through the tyger. The tyger, himself, is a symbol for anger, power, and strength. Unlike, The Lamb, this poem uses a more complex writing style. This poem differs from, The Lamb, in writing styles, for example, Blake doesn’t use repetition in this poem. This poem has a more mature and complex meaning, it is more serious and dark. In this poem, Blake questions God’s motives when he says, “Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee?” (Page 749 Line

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