William Blake

Discussion in 'Metaphysics, Philosophy and Religion Books' started by Taoist27, May 30, 2008.

  1. Taoist27

    Taoist27 Junior Member

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    I'm an avid reader of Blake. He's written two books of poetry, as well as many theories. The poetry books are called "Songs of Innocence and of Experience". If anyone has read any of these, or any of his other works, tell me about it. And your fav of his work. Mine is his ungrouped poem "Long John Brown and Little Mary Bell". Other favorites are "The Little Blakc Boy", "The Human Abstract", "The Divine Image", and his "Marriage of Heaven and Hell". He's one of my favorite authors, and I aspire that someday my writing will match his.
     
  2. BlackBillBlake

    BlackBillBlake resigned HipForums Supporter

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    :) You obviously have impeccable taste. Blake is one of the greatest of english poets, and I have been reading his works for many years.

    However - as well as Innocence and Experience, there are many other works. He was also an artist - trained as an engaver, and he produced some fascinating and some beautiful works of visionary art. Maybe you know that both Innocence and Experienced were first published in editions which were illustrated and printed by Blake himself with help only from his wife, Catherine. He even invented his own methods of engraving and printing.

    Check out this website

    http://www.betatesters.com/penn/blake.htm
     
  3. TiedyeDreams

    TiedyeDreams Member

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    I had no idea he was an artist as well! Fascinating...

    I love Blake. He has to be one of my favorite poets. His writing is beautiful and eye-opening.
     
  4. shamansun

    shamansun Guest

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    This is one of his more famous images. Other folks already mentioned he was a painter. Most of his poetry was originally accompanied by beautiful visuals. Each book was hand-crafted and manually painted. Phew.

    There's something so striking and archaic about calligraphic script and visual art; as if poetry and prose were meant to be created with visuals.

    That perfect, harmonic balance between left and right brain?


    [​IMG]

    Aside from Innocence and Experience, there's my favorite book: The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. This little book contains a number of famous aphorisms tossed around in popular culture:

    [​IMG]

    Some beautiful lines:


     
  5. TheSweetestSugar

    TheSweetestSugar Guest

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    I love Blake! An ex lover (whom im very good friends with) turned me on to him.
    Ive always loved poetry, including writing poetry myself. Its a beautiful way to vent out.

    I have the two poetry books with illustrations (Love the illustrations!!) The marriage between heaven and hell and Songs of innocence and experience. My fave poem of Blake's is The Tyger. Ill try to upload the pic!

    William Blake is also linked to the Pre Raphaelite's. Which im a HUGE fan of!
     
  6. Meliai

    Meliai Banned

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    I die I die the Mother said
    My Children die for lack of Bread
    What more has the merciless Tyrant said
    The Monk sat down on the Stony Bed

    The blood red ran from the Grey Monks side
    His hands & feet were wounded wide
    His Body bent his arms & knees
    Like to the roots of ancient trees

    His eye was dry no tear could flow
    A hollow groan first spoke his woe
    He trembled & shudderd upon the Bed
    At length with a feeble cry he said

    When God commanded this hand to write
    In the studious hours of deep midnight
    He told me the writing I wrote should prove
    The Bane of all that on Earth I lovd

    My Brother starvd between two Walls
    His Childrens Cry my Soul appalls
    I mockd at the wrack & griding chain
    My bent body mocks their torturing pain

    Thy Father drew his sword in the North
    With his thousands strong he marched forth
    Thy Brother has armd himself in Steel
    To avenge the wrongs thy Children feel

    But vain the Sword & vain the Bow
    They never can work Wars overthrow
    The Hermits Prayer & the Widows tear
    Alone can free the World from fear

    For a Tear is an Intellectual Thing
    And a Sigh is the Sword of an Angel King
    And the bitter groan of the Martyrs woe
    Is an Arrow from the Almighties Bow

    The hand of Vengeance found the Bed
    To which the Purple Tyrant fled
    The iron hand crushd the Tyrants head
    And became a Tyrant in his stead
     
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