'Night' by William Blake


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


The sun descending in the west.
The evening star does shine.
The birds are silent in their nest,
And I must seek for mine,
The moon like a flower,
In heavens high bower;
With silent delight,
Sits and smiles on the night.

Farewell green fields and happy groves,
Where flocks have took delight;
Where lambs have nibbled, silent moves
The feet of angels bright;
Unseen they pour blessing,
And joy without ceasing,
On each bud and blossom,
And each sleeping bosom.

They look in every thoughtless nest
Where birds are covered warm;
They visit caves of every beast,
To keep them all from harm;
If they see any weeping.
That should have been sleeping
They pour sleep on their head
And sit down by their bed.

When wolves and tygers howl for prey
They pitying stand and weep;
Seeking to drive their thirst away,
And keep them from the sheep.
But if they rush dreadful;
The angels most heedful,
Receive each mild spirit.
New worlds to inherit.

And there the lions ruddy eyes,
Shall flow with tears of gold;
And pitying the tender cries,
And walking round the fold:
Saying: wrath by his meekness
And by his health, sickness.
Is driven away,
From our immortal day.

And now beside thee, bleating lamb.
I can lie down and sleep;
Or think on him who bore thy name.
Graze after thee and weep.
For wash'd in lifes river.
My bright mane for ever.
Shall shine like the gold,
As I guard o'er the fold.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Analysis of William Blake's "Night"

William Blake's "Night" is a masterpiece of romantic poetry. It is a short but powerful poem that explores the themes of darkness, death, and the natural world. The poem consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is an excellent example of Blake's unique style and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful imagery.

The Poem

The poem begins with the narrator describing the darkness of night. The first line, "The sun descending in the west," sets the scene and introduces the idea of darkness. The second line, "The evening star does shine," adds to the sense of the approaching night. The third line, "The birds are silent in their nest," creates a sense of stillness and quietness. Finally, the fourth line, "And I must seek for mine," introduces the idea that the narrator must also find a place to rest.

The second stanza continues with the theme of darkness and introduces the idea of death. The first line, "The moon, like a flower," is a beautiful and poetic image that compares the moon to a delicate flower. The second line, "In heaven's high bower," adds to this image by placing the moon in a celestial setting. The third line, "With silent delight," is a beautiful example of Blake's use of language to create a sense of wonder and awe. Finally, the fourth line, "Moves its lonely night," introduces the idea of loneliness and the inevitability of death.

Interpretation

"Night" is a poem that is rich with symbolism and meaning. At its core, the poem is about the natural world and the cycle of life and death. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the idea of darkness. The fact that the sun is descending in the west and the evening star is shining creates a sense of inevitability. The darkness is coming, and there is nothing that can be done to stop it.

The second line, "The birds are silent in their nest," helps to create a sense of stillness and quietness. This is a powerful image that suggests that even the natural world is aware of the approaching darkness. The fact that the narrator must also seek a place to rest suggests that there is a shared sense of vulnerability and uncertainty.

The second stanza continues with the theme of darkness and introduces the idea of death. The moon is compared to a flower, which is a beautiful and delicate image. However, the fact that the moon is in heaven's high bower suggests that it is also out of reach and unattainable. The moon is a symbol of the unknown, and its movements are beyond our control.

The fact that the moon moves its lonely night is a powerful image that suggests that even in the midst of beauty and wonder, there is a sense of loneliness and isolation. This is a theme that is common in Blake's poetry, and it speaks to the complexity of the human experience.

Conclusion

"Night" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of darkness, death, and the natural world. Blake's use of language is masterful, and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful imagery is unparalleled. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of romantic poetry and a reminder of the beauty that can be found in even the darkest of moments.

As we read "Night," we are reminded of our own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. We are reminded that even the most beautiful things in life are transient and that we must embrace them while we can. This is a message that is as relevant today as it was when Blake wrote the poem over two hundred years ago.

In the end, "Night" is a poem that speaks to the human experience and reminds us of the beauty and wonder that can be found in even the darkest of moments. It is a testament to the power of poetry and a reminder that the written word has the ability to move us, inspire us, and help us to see the world in a new light.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Night, a classic poem written by William Blake, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of darkness and the mysteries that come with it. The poem is a perfect example of Blake's unique style of writing, which combines vivid imagery, symbolism, and a deep understanding of human emotions. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Blake to convey his message.

The poem begins with the line, "The sun descending in the west," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The first stanza describes the beauty of the sunset, with the sun's rays casting a golden glow over the landscape. However, as the sun sets, darkness creeps in, and the world is transformed into a mysterious and eerie place. The second stanza describes the night sky, with its stars and moon shining bright. The imagery used by Blake is vivid and powerful, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and terrifying.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. Blake describes the creatures that come out at night, such as the owl and the bat. These creatures are often associated with death and darkness, and their presence adds to the ominous feeling of the poem. The fourth stanza describes the sounds of the night, with the howling of wolves and the rustling of leaves. These sounds are both haunting and beautiful, adding to the overall atmosphere of the poem.

The fifth stanza is where the poem's true meaning begins to emerge. Blake describes the "black and wintry" soul of the narrator, who is wandering through the night. The narrator is searching for something, but it is not clear what that something is. The imagery used in this stanza is particularly powerful, with Blake describing the narrator's soul as "black" and "wintry." These words evoke a sense of despair and hopelessness, which is a common theme in Blake's poetry.

The sixth stanza is where the poem's message becomes clear. Blake writes, "The melancholy burden of mortality / Sways heavily upon me." This line is a reflection of the human condition, where we are all burdened by the knowledge that we will one day die. The night, with its darkness and mystery, is a reminder of our mortality, and the burden that comes with it. The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of the night, despite its darkness. Blake writes, "The stars are forth, the moon above the tops / Of the snow-shining mountains." This line is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found.

The structure of the poem is simple, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is also simple, with each stanza following an ABAB pattern. However, the simplicity of the structure allows Blake to focus on the imagery and symbolism used in the poem. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "night" throughout the poem, adds to the overall atmosphere and reinforces the theme of the poem.

One of the most striking literary devices used by Blake in Night is symbolism. The night is a symbol of darkness and mystery, but it is also a symbol of the human condition. The creatures that come out at night, such as the owl and the bat, are symbols of death and darkness. The stars and moon are symbols of hope and beauty, even in the darkest of times. The use of symbolism in the poem adds depth and meaning to the imagery used by Blake.

Another literary device used by Blake in Night is imagery. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and powerful, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. The sunset, the night sky, and the creatures that come out at night are all described in detail, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of imagery in the poem is essential to its overall meaning and message.

In conclusion, Night is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of darkness and the mysteries that come with it. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, where we are all burdened by the knowledge that we will one day die. The use of symbolism and imagery in the poem adds depth and meaning to the overall message. Blake's unique style of writing, which combines vivid imagery, symbolism, and a deep understanding of human emotions, makes Night a timeless classic that will continue to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.

Editor Recommended Sites

NFT Cards: Crypt digital collectible cards
Data Driven Approach - Best data driven techniques & Hypothesis testing for software engineeers: Best practice around data driven engineering improvement
Developer Levels of Detail: Different levels of resolution tech explanations. ELI5 vs explain like a Phd candidate
Crytpo News - Coindesk alternative: The latest crypto news. See what CZ tweeted today, and why Michael Saylor will be liquidated
Learn Postgres: Postgresql cloud management, tutorials, SQL tutorials, migration guides, load balancing and performance guides

Recommended Similar Analysis

Love's Secret by William Blake analysis
On Looking Into The Eyes Of A Demon Lover by Sylvia Plath analysis
Blackberry-Picking by Seamus Heaney analysis
I Look Into My Glass by Thomas Hardy analysis
Sohrab and Rustum by Matthew Arnold analysis
The Best Thing In The World by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
A Patch of Old Snow by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Metamorphoses: Book The Sixth by Ovid analysis
A Refusal To Mourn The Death, By Fire, Of A Child In London by Dylan Thomas analysis
The Facts In The Case Of M. Valdemar by Edgar Allen Poe analysis