The English poet and painter William Blake appears to be mysterious, mainly because his works are not easy to comprehend. His poems and books are full of religious and philosophical questions and metaphors, some of his works are even accompanied by paintings which make his legacy even more complex.
Blake lived in revolutionary times. The era can be characterised as a time of big upheavals and major changes in society. Reasons for this are the French and the American Revolution which had an influence on writers of the early Romantic period. Furthermore the first signs of industrialisation in the late 18th century showed the need for political reforms. A connection between the events in France and the apocalyptic prophecies in the bible was drawn - a belief in a universal peace, similar to the promise of paradise following this apocalypse in the bible. When this hope was not satisfied, thinkers did not abandon it, but started a quiet, moralistic revolution.
In Blake’s work, both the social criticism and the religious aspect can clearly be found. This paper wants to find out about William Blake’s (religious) beliefs which are often seen as idiosyncratic. It tries to explain the most significant influences on Blake and his writing by illustrating his relationship with the Church of his time, the ideas of the Deist movement and the influence of the mystic Emanuel Swedenborg. Afterwards it will describe the influences of religion on the well-known volumes of poetry “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience” by commenting on exemplary poems of both volumes.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. William Blake's religious views
- 2.1 William Blake and the Church of England
- 2.2. Blake's scepticism against the Deists
- 2.3. Blake and Swedenborg
- 3. Blake's religious views in ‘Songs of Innocence' and 'Songs of Experience'
- 3.1. The Chimney Sweeper
- 3.2. The Little Black Boy
- 3.3. The Tyger
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the idiosyncratic religious beliefs of William Blake and their influence on his poetry. It examines key influences on Blake's worldview, including his relationship with the Church of England, his critique of Deism, and the impact of Emanuel Swedenborg's mysticism. The analysis then investigates how these religious views manifest in his renowned "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience."
- Blake's complex relationship with the Church of England.
- Blake's critique of Deism and its emphasis on reason.
- The influence of Swedenborgian mysticism on Blake's thought.
- The expression of Blake's religious views in "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience".
- The social and political context influencing Blake's work.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for exploring William Blake's enigmatic life and work, highlighting the complexities of his religious and philosophical perspectives interwoven throughout his poetry and paintings. It situates Blake within the context of the late 18th century, a period marked by significant social and political upheaval, including the American and French Revolutions and the burgeoning Industrial Revolution. This tumultuous era fostered a climate of social criticism and religious questioning, which profoundly shaped Blake's creative output. The chapter establishes the paper's objective: to unravel Blake's unique religious beliefs and their impact on his writing, focusing on his relationship with the Church of England, the Deist movement, and the influence of Emanuel Swedenborg.
2. William Blake's religious views: This chapter delves into the core of Blake's religious beliefs, exploring his multifaceted relationship with organized religion and philosophical movements of his time. It lays the groundwork for understanding the complex interplay of acceptance and rejection that characterized Blake’s approach to faith and spirituality. This chapter provides context for subsequent analyses of his poetry by establishing the primary intellectual and religious currents that shaped his perspective.
2.1 William Blake and the Church of England: This section analyzes Blake's ambivalent relationship with the Church of England. While he ultimately chose a Church of England burial, suggesting a degree of attachment, Blake was highly critical of its institutional failings, particularly its lack of compassion for the poor and its focus on self-interest over the needs of its parishioners. He criticized the Church’s neglect of art and its support of oppressive social structures. Despite this critique, the chapter also highlights that Blake recognized the Church’s role in providing social services, creating a complex picture of his feelings toward the institution.
2.2. Blake's scepticism against the Deists: This section examines Blake's opposition to Deism, a philosophical movement emphasizing reason and natural law over biblical revelation. Blake rejected the Deists' belief in a rational, uninvolved God, arguing that their emphasis on reason excused social injustices like slavery and exploitation. He saw their focus on reason as a form of self-serving morality, contrasting it with his own belief in a more mystical and engaged divine presence.
Keywords
William Blake, religious views, Church of England, Deism, Swedenborgianism, Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, Romanticism, social criticism, poetry, religious symbolism, mysticism, theology.
William Blake's Religious Views: A Comprehensive Overview - FAQ
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper exploring the unique religious beliefs of William Blake and their significant influence on his poetry. It delves into his relationships with the Church of England, Deism, and Swedenborgianism, examining how these shaped his perspectives and manifested in his "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience."
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an introduction, a section on William Blake's religious views (further divided into subsections on his relationship with the Church of England, his critique of Deism, and his engagement with Swedenborg), and a section analyzing the expression of Blake's religious views in "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience," with specific examples from individual poems like "The Chimney Sweeper," "The Little Black Boy," and "The Tyger."
What are the key objectives and themes of the paper?
The paper aims to understand Blake's idiosyncratic religious beliefs and their impact on his poetry. Key themes include Blake's complex relationship with the Church of England, his critique of Deistic rationalism, the influence of Swedenborgian mysticism on his thought, and the expression of these beliefs in "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience." The social and political context of Blake's time is also considered.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction sets the stage, situating Blake within the socio-political context of the late 18th century. Chapter 2 explores Blake's core religious beliefs, analyzing his relationship with organized religion and philosophical movements. Section 2.1 focuses on his ambivalent relationship with the Church of England, highlighting both criticism and a degree of attachment. Section 2.2 examines Blake's opposition to Deism and its emphasis on reason. Further chapters delve into specific poems to show how these religious views are manifested in his works.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include William Blake, religious views, Church of England, Deism, Swedenborgianism, Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, Romanticism, social criticism, poetry, religious symbolism, mysticism, and theology.
What poems are specifically analyzed in this paper?
The paper specifically analyzes "The Chimney Sweeper," "The Little Black Boy," and "The Tyger" from Blake's "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience" to illustrate his religious views.
What is the significance of Blake's relationship with the Church of England?
Blake had a complex relationship with the Church of England. While he received a Church of England burial, he was highly critical of its institutional failings, particularly its lack of compassion for the poor and its focus on self-interest. However, he also acknowledged its role in providing social services.
How did Deism influence Blake's work?
Blake strongly opposed Deism, rejecting its emphasis on reason and a distant, uninvolved God. He argued that Deistic rationalism excused social injustices and lacked the mystical engagement with the divine that he valued.
What is the role of Swedenborgianism in Blake's religious thought?
The paper examines the influence of Emanuel Swedenborg's mysticism on Blake's thought, though the specific details of this influence are not fully explained in the preview.
- Quote paper
- Selina Kunz (Author), 2009, William Blake’s idiosyncratic beliefs and his poetry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/133907
