Songs Of Innocence and Experience - William Blake

Advantages: Wonderfully concise, evocative, meaningful...
Disadvantages: Not fully representative of all Blake's work...

William Blake (1757 – 1827) is possibly one of the most cherished poets the English language has ever brought forth. Blake has been called a seer, a prophet, a maniac, a visionary, a spokesman and an artist: but he was also a poet. To give a feeling of his entire work would be an incredibly difficult feat and I am certainly not qualified in any way to do so, not least because I struggle to read some of the famous “prophetic” poetry, just as many ...
...However, I do have enormous respect for the man and his work and the sheer enormity of influence his work has had on the centuries that followed his death. “Jerusalem”, “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”, “Milton” and “The Book of Urizen” have arguably had the most intellectual power and influence. Of all his works these are some of the big-hitters that speak to the grand themes of eternity and damnation, to religion and to false gods, and blast ... Read review

Advantages: A masterpiece, which speaks to everyone.
Disadvantages: None.

Songs of Innocence and Experience is Blake's best known work. Born into poverty in London in 1757, Blake nevertheless went to an art school and was apprenticed to an engraver. He had little formal education other than this however. It was there that he developed his breathaking techniques of engraving, which are central to his poetry. If you can, get a copy of these poems with the engravings, otherwise you are missing out on a truly wonderful experience. ...
..."The Sick Rose" from Songs of Experience as an example: O rose, thou art sick! The invisible worm That flies in the night, In the howling storm, Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy, And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy. Immediately you can see Blake's individual poetic voice - direct and simple, without any embellishment or adornment. In eight short lines it speaks volumes - and is much more interesting than the guff spouted by ... Read review

Advantages: Incredible engravings and touching poetry
Disadvantages: None whatsoever.

...apparently simple compositions, that comprise Songs of Innocence and Experience, contain so much spiritual meaning. There are very few books that can touch you quite as much. Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience (1794) juxtapose the innocent, pastoral world of childhood against an adult world of corruption and repression. Many of the poems fall into pairs, so that the same situation or problem is seen through the eyes of innocence first and ...
...There are 18 poems in Songs of Innocence and 27 in Songs of Experience. Both contain an introduction. There are too many too itemise. Some of the better known poems include The Tiger, The Lamb and The Poison Tree. The poetry was etched by Blake himself on copper plates, with accompanying designs. Design and text were cut in relief, stamped on paper, and then coloured by hand. The Songs of Innocence were first engraved in 1789 and the Songs of Experience ... Read review

Advantages: insightful visionary inspired
Disadvantages: cryptic if you're thick

Songs of Innocence and of Experience is an enlightening piece of literature. Blake is a visionary well ahead of his times in his opinions on sexism, racism, individualism, religion, free love, sexuality, equality, unity etc etc. Blake was inspired by the old testement and christianity but his views were so radical and controversial that he was ostriced by the christians of his time. Songs of innocence and of experience reflects this in many of its ...
...cryptic man and although his songs had their lullaby appeal they also had something very deep and very serious to say. if you've ever wondered about the progression of man from a basic animal with simple needs to the complicated creature living in a metropolitan world abiding by rules, working for the rat race, then you'll identify with this collection of songs and you have to read it. if you only ever read one poem from this collection make it ... Read review