This collection gathers the central poetic output of William Blake, including the complete "Songs of Innocence and of Experience." The text contrasts the naive perspective of childhood with the darker realities of industrial London and institutional corruption. It features major works such as "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell," where Blake outlines his theory of contraries and his critique of orthodox religious morality. The selection also includes segments of his complex prophetic books, which introduce a private mythology involving characters like the creator figure Urizen and the rebellious spirit Orc.
Students of Romantic literature and enthusiasts of visionary art read this edition to understand Blake’s dual role as a poet and a social critic. Readers gain a clear view of his rhythmic structures and his persistent focus on the liberation of the human imagination from legalistic thought. Those interested in the historical transition from the Enlightenment to Romanticism use these verses to track how Blake challenged the rationalism of his era. The book provides a direct encounter with his arguments regarding the suppression of natural desire and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the English landscape.
- Published
- 1994
- Language
- EN
