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The Lamb And The Tyger By William Blake

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The Bible states, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16). William Blake wrote poems about this very subject. In his twin poems, “The Lamb” and “The Tyger”, Blake uses different literary techniques such as sound, imagery and symbolism to echo the common theme of creation along with how it is viewed differently. William Blake’s use of sound in his poems, “The Lamb” and “The Tyger”, enhance the central idea of creation and the question of how one God can create such different creatures. Both poems are similar in how they have rhyming couplets, a lot of repetition, alliteration and assonance however, they are very different in a few ways. One is structured in …show more content…

This is shown with his use of imagery as well. Imagery used in “The Lamb” is very beautiful, natural and peaceful which is a stark contrast to the dark fearful imagery seen in “The Tyger”. “Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost, thou know who made thee?” (Lines 9-10). “Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee: He is called by thy name” (Lines 12-13). In the poem “The Lamb”, Blake paints a sweet, innocent image of a loving and kind God. This poem is full of child-like wonder as the speaker questions and answers who the lamb’s creator is. The nostalgic feel continues as he states, “By the stream and o'er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, wooly, bright; Gave thee such a tender voice” (Lines 4-7). These words and ideas leave the reader with a warm, comforted feeling. The image of untouched nature, green pastures and a soft, little, white, baby lamb is quite different to the imagery Blake uses in “The Tyger”. The overall feel of “The Lamb” is beautiful and tender as Blake describes the lamb in such ways that are gentle, delicate and alluring. In his poem, “The Tyger”, Blake creates a dark, scary picture of a powerful, ferocious creature that is not meek or mild like the lamb. Instead, he states, “What immortal hand or eye, Burnt the fire of thine eyes? Dare its deadly terrors clasp?” (Lines 2-14). “What the hammer? What the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? What dread grasp dare its deadly terrors clasp?” (Lines 13-16). These

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