Beyond the Verse From Innocence to Experience: William Blake's 'The Tyger'
In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maya explore William Blake’s 1794 poem, 'The Tyger,' from his collection 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience.' They dive deep into the complex symbolism of the tiger, discussing its contrast with 'The Lamb,' another of Blake’s celebrated works, and exploring the moral questions posed by its creation.
Maya and Joe reflect on Blake’s fascination with the tension between innocence and experience, the Industrial Revolution’s impact on his worldview, and his unique portrayal of creation and divine mystery. Together, they unravel Blake’s nuanced perspective on power, the Promethean myth, and humanity’s ability to create both beauty and terror. The episode also highlights Blake’s radical views, his artistry, and his influential collection, 'Songs of Innocence and Experience.'
Get exclusive PDFs on 'The Tyger' available to Poetry+ users:
Tune in and discover:
- The symbolic meaning of the tiger in Blake’s work
- Blake’s radical views on innocence and experience
- Promethean mythology and its relevance to 'The Tyger'
- Why Blake’s themes resonate in today’s world
As always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.