2. Biography
Blake was born in Soho, London on November 28, 1757.
Got first education at home by mother, Catherine
Wright Armitage.
On August 4, 1772, was apprenticed to engraver James
Basire of Great Queen Street.
In 1774 was sent to London to copy images from the
Gothic churches.
On October 8, 1779, became a student at the Royal
Academy in Old Somerset House.
Rebelled against Joshua Reynolds and created his own
style.
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3. Biography
On August 18, 1782 married to Catherine Boucher.
First collection of poems, Poetical Sketches, was printed
around 1783.
Inspired by Shakespeare, Spencer, Milton, Ben Jonson and
the Bible.
Opened a print shop with James Parker, in 1784.
Died in London on August 12, 1827 and was buried in an
unmarked grave in Bunhill Fields, a Dissenters’ cemetery.
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4. The Most Famous Works
Songs of Innocence (1789)
“Introduction”, “Infant Sorrow"," Nurse's Song”, “The
Garden of Love”, “”The Chimney Sweeper”, “The Cold and
the Pebble”, “Holy Thursday”
Songs of Experience (1794)
“Introduction”, “ London”, “ The Sick Rose”, “Ah! Sun-
Flower”, “The Tiger”, “ A Poisen Tree”,
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5. The Most Famous Works
The Book of Thel
Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790)
« The Voice of Devil », « The Proverbs of Hell »
The Vision of the Daughters of Albion » (1793)
« America, a Prophecy » (1794)
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6. A Poisen Tree
“A Poison Tree” is one of the lesser-known of the 26
poems that published as Songs of Experience
Published in 1793, belongs to Songs of Experience
Written as a protest to the Anglican Church.
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7. I 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.
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8. And I waterd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
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9. 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.
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10. And into my garden stole,
When the night had veild the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretchd beneath the tree.
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12. Rhyme Scheme
I was angry with my friend; A
I told my wrath, my wrath did end. A
I was angry with my foe: B
I told it not, my wrath did grow. B
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13. Style – Iambic Tetrameter
i WAS / an-GRY / with MY / friend
i TOLD / my WRATH, / my WRATH / did END
Truncated Iambic Tetrameter Lines
and I / waTERD / it IN / fears"
"and HE / knew THAT / it WAS / mine.
Return to Iambic Tetrameter
"in THE / mornING / glad I / see,"
"my FOE / outSTRETCHED / beNEATH / the TREE,"
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14. Themes
• The Cultivation of Anger
• The Wrathfulness of the Old Testament
God
• Suppression versus Expression
• Hypocrisy
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