William Blake subtitled his Songs of Innocence and Experience 'Shewing Two Contrary States of the Human Soul'. His overall vision of the human condition is one where good and evil exist interdependently and this is an idea reflected in Blake's coloured engravings of the poems, examples of which are included in this collection.This edition has comprehensive notes on the poems and an Approaches section offering commentary and activities on key themes and techniques, such as Blake's political beliefs and the role of imagery within his poetry.
“The tygers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction.”
Source: 1790s, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790–1793), Proverbs of Hell, Line 44
Source: Songs of Innocence and of Experience
The Divine Image, st. 1
1780s, Songs of Innocence (1789–1790)
Source: Songs of Innocence and of Experience
“Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.”
Source: Songs of Innocence and of Experience
St. 5
1790s, The Tyger (1794)
Source: Songs of Innocence and of Experience
