Introduction
William Blake is one of the most renowned English poets who created brilliant images using various literary devices. It is really remarkable that the poet could create a marvelous story about things that many people regard as very simple and meaningless. It is possible to compare and contrast two poems, “The Lamb” and “The Tyger”, to understand how the poet managed to create evoking and appealing images.
Poems Comparison
In the first place, it is necessary to note that the poet utilizes symbolism in both poems. Thus, the tiger is a symbol of danger and dangerous beauty of the nature. The poet makes the following question:
“On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?”
The fire stands for danger here. It is clear that the animal embodies all the features of something dangerous. Even though the poet, obviously, is fearful of the beast, he also admits perfection of the creature:
“What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?” (Blake n.p.)
Unlike the previous poem, “The Lamb” has an opposing meaning. On the one hand, the lamb stands for purity and innocence. On the other hand, it also stands for Jesus who was the purest and most innocent of people. The poet exclaims:
“He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child” (Blake n.p.)
This symbolism makes the poems very evoking as instead of depicting the animals, the poet draws parallels between the ‘natural’ and spiritual life. People see animals and their attention is also drawn to conventions of the western (Christian) reality. In the poem “The Lamb”, the poet employs allusion (as he alludes to Christ).
Clearly, bright imagery is created with the help of literary devices. It is possible to note that metaphor is the most common device in the two poems. Thus, the tiger is “burning bright”, which is a metaphor meaning the bright colors of the animal and the eyes that glare in the darkness (Blake n.p.).
The poet also uses numerous adjectives to create a really lively and bright picture: “burning bright”, “fearful symmetry”, “deadly terrors” (Blake n.p.). The poet creates the feeling of dangerous perfection. When it comes to “The Lamb”, the poet also uses metaphors. When depicting the animal, he mentions “clothing of delight, / Softest clothing wooly bright” (Blake n.p.). Notably, in this poem, the poet also uses personification when he notes:
“Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!”
The poems become really bright and evoking due to the use of these literary devices. The poet shares his emotions and makes the reader see the world from his perspective.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is possible to note that the poems are very similar in terms of the devices used but they are very different in the meanings conveyed. Thus, the poet utilizes metaphors and symbolism. However, in “The Lamb”, the poet depicts purity and innocence while he reveals danger and perfection in “The Tyger”.
It is possible to note that it is necessary to read both poems to see the beauty of the world. The two poems are perfect contrasts to each other and this helps the poet convey a very important meaning. The two poems show the beauty and diversity of the world where purity and innocence, danger and beauty are combined.
Works Cited
Blake, William. The Lamb. Web.
Blake, William. The Tyger. Web.