William Blake's Gorgeous Art

William Blake was one of the most inspirational poets of all time. To be exact, a British poet in the romanticism era between the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. These types of poets where limited, yet some of the most influential people ever to exist during life’s growing existence. The famous romantic poet William Blake was not only known for his poetry, but also for his amazing art talents. William Blake’s work both artwork and poetry was based on biblical references. Blake would mainly draw scenes of the supernatural world using, angels, demons, and god as inspiration to his main points. One of his most known poems named, “The Lamb” was a large relation to Jesus, as in the bible. This poem has a resemblance largely to Jesus, however, just worded differently.  William Blake was a romantic poet meaning he did not view science as a main point to life. Instead, Blake viewed nature as the most sublime topic to all of his work, and to all his thoughts. As nature, William Blake saw the supernatural world as the most powering, and inspiring thing on earth.  This showed in his writing but more in his drawings.

On this video, there are many pictures of Blake’s vision on the supernatural world. He is one of the most religious poets, basing all of his work around God all mighty. His art has a lot of hidden meaning, although it takes time to figure out the meaning and interpret them, it is worth it. Blake had strong feelings about his work, and expressed it quite well. He took his time, until perfection was reached. Blake’s work is still reviewed through work in modern day civilization, and will continue to still be. Even though his art was made from a long time ago, it is still commonly used, and practically up to date. This is because the bible has very little change over the years, however, at the same time, gets revised and stays similar to the original version. Several pieces of William Blake’s are shown throughout this video, and have close ideas to each other. This is why William Blake is one of the most mighty people in culture.

A POISON TREE

WAS angry with my friend:

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

 

And I watered it in fears,

Night and morning with my tears;

And I sunnèd it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.

 

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright;

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine,

 

And into my garden stole,

When the night had veiled the pole:

In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.







       In the first stanza of "A Poison Tree", William Blake implies that when someone tells of their feelings, they will feel relieved.  Rather, if someone hid their feelings inside, the feelings would only get worse.  This stanza brings up the fact that everyone categorizes people they meet as friend or foe.  Along with that, people treat the two very differently, which could punish them in the end. For example, when someone hates another person, they would normally not go up to them and confess their feelings, therefore their feelings will get worse.  But, if someone is friends with another, they would most likely want things to be better, so they talk it out. 

       The second stanza includes Blake watering his wrath with his tears, which means his wrath was growing.  At the same time he was acting friendly to his foe, to trick him into thinking everything was alright between them.  Eventually, it grew to bear an apple, which looked appealing, but it was actually poisonous.  This relates to the Garden of Eden, where Eve is tempted by the apple, but it turns out to be a terrible trap.  Just like in the Garden of Eden, Blake's foe falls into his trap.  His foe sneaks into the garden at night, and stole the tempting poison apple.  When Blake woke in the morning, he was glad to find his foe dead under the tree.  This poem can relate to other people and their lives as well as the Garden of Eden story.  

       Reading and interpreting this poem has made me realize times I have been lured into a trap, but also times where I have lured others I did not like into a trap.  When someone is in high school, they see it every day.  For example, when people invite a nerd over to their table for lunch, the nerd thinks it might be a friendly gesture.  However, when the nerd goes over to them, they all make fun of him and pick on him.  Not only is it deceitful and sneaky, but it could come right around and bite you in the butt.  That is one of the main lessons that can be learned from "A Poison Tree", along with learning to not hide your feelings.  If you do suppress your feelings, they just exceedingly get worse.