Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night :
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears :
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger, Tyger burning bright
In the forests of the night :
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
In the forests of the night :
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears :
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger, Tyger burning bright
In the forests of the night :
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
One of William Blake's best works, the poem is a part of a collection of poems - Songs of Experience.
According to me, the poem exemplifies power and the glory that comes along with power. The Tyger may not necessarily be an evil hunter/killer, but it could also be a thing of beauty.Something which is deadly, but also awe-inspiring.
In the modern context, one ,can almost liken the Tyger to machines used in warfare. Tanks and fighter planes to be specific.The sheer destructive power and the military glory attached to these vehicles of war is similar to the image which is represented by Blake's Tyger.
It is interesting to note how the poet uses words like anvil, furnace and hammer. Scenes of a workshop or factory spring to my mind. Such imagery suggests, that like these weapons, the Tyger too was built in a factory.
Stereotypically, the Lamb(a poem from Blake's Songs of Innocence) and the Tyger are like the yin-yang of poetry. The Lamb representing every thing that is good and innocent and the Tyger the direct opposite.
However, my perception of the Tyger, differs slightly. The Tyger can be seen as both a destroyer and a protector. It is because of its strength that we are in awe of it, but it is not necessary to fear it. The only way that we can get used to the Tyger, is to accept it and not be afraid of what harm it could cause us.
According to me, the poem exemplifies power and the glory that comes along with power. The Tyger may not necessarily be an evil hunter/killer, but it could also be a thing of beauty.Something which is deadly, but also awe-inspiring.
In the modern context, one ,can almost liken the Tyger to machines used in warfare. Tanks and fighter planes to be specific.The sheer destructive power and the military glory attached to these vehicles of war is similar to the image which is represented by Blake's Tyger.
It is interesting to note how the poet uses words like anvil, furnace and hammer. Scenes of a workshop or factory spring to my mind. Such imagery suggests, that like these weapons, the Tyger too was built in a factory.
Stereotypically, the Lamb(a poem from Blake's Songs of Innocence) and the Tyger are like the yin-yang of poetry. The Lamb representing every thing that is good and innocent and the Tyger the direct opposite.
However, my perception of the Tyger, differs slightly. The Tyger can be seen as both a destroyer and a protector. It is because of its strength that we are in awe of it, but it is not necessary to fear it. The only way that we can get used to the Tyger, is to accept it and not be afraid of what harm it could cause us.
Beautifully analysed, in both the Literary and Modern context. Beautiful poem. The idea of the Tiger or 'Tyger' as a protector and destroyer is akin to that of the Indian goddess Kali, making this analysis a slight mythological angle too.
ReplyDeleteAwesomeness girl!
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heyyy.....great analysis of the poem. You have brought out accurately William Blake's thought when he wrote the poem. And great idea for a post. Hoping to see your next post soon :)
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