'The Lamb' by William Blake


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Little Lamb, who made thee
Does thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing woolly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice.
Making all the vales rejoice:
Little Lamb who made thee
Does thou know who made thee

Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee;
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little childh
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by His name,
Little Lamb God bless thee,
Little Lamb God bless thee.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Lamb by William Blake: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, the sweet and tender lamb! Who wouldn't love this gentle and innocent creature? In William Blake's poem, "The Lamb," we encounter this lovable creature, and through it, we explore some of the deepest questions that have haunted human existence since time immemorial. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning and significance of Blake's poem, explore its themes and imagery, and examine its relevance to our contemporary world.

The Poem's Structure and Style

"The Lamb" is a short poem, consisting of two stanzas, each with ten lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, and the meter is trochaic, which means that each line has a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward language, using short words and phrases that are easy to understand. The poem's style is that of a pastoral lyric, a genre that celebrates the beauty and innocence of nature and rural life.

The Poem's Themes and Imagery

At its core, "The Lamb" is a poem about innocence, purity, and the divine. The lamb, a symbol of innocence and vulnerability, is presented as a creation of God, a creature that is both gentle and meek. The poem's opening lines set the tone for its themes and imagery:

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

These lines invite us to contemplate the nature of creation and the identity of the creator. The question "who made thee?" evokes a sense of wonder and mystery, as if the lamb were a product of some divine force beyond our comprehension.

The poem's imagery is rich with pastoral and religious motifs. The lamb is described as a "meek and mild" creature, with "softest clothing" and "tender voice." These descriptions evoke a sense of gentleness and vulnerability, as well as a connection to nature and the rural world. The poem also contains several references to Christianity, such as the "Lamb of God" and the "brightest heaven of invention." These references suggest that the poem is not only a celebration of nature but also a hymn to the divine.

The Poem's Interpretation

On a surface level, "The Lamb" can be read as a simple and innocent poem about a lovable creature. However, the poem's deeper meanings reveal themselves upon closer examination. The poem can be interpreted as an exploration of the nature of creation, the identity of the creator, and the relationship between human beings and the divine.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the beauty and innocence of nature. The lamb, with its soft fur and gentle voice, represents the goodness and purity of the natural world. The poem suggests that the creator of the lamb, who is identified as God, is a benevolent and loving force that created the world as a place of beauty and harmony.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the relationship between human beings and the divine. The poem suggests that human beings are part of a larger, divine plan, and that their existence is intertwined with that of the natural world. The lamb, as a symbol of innocence and purity, represents the ideal state of being that human beings should aspire to, a state that is closely connected to the divine.

Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a critique of the human condition. The poem suggests that human beings, in their quest for knowledge and power, have lost touch with the natural world and the divine. The poem invites us to contemplate the consequences of our actions and to consider the possibility of returning to a state of innocence and harmony with nature.

The Poem's Relevance Today

In our contemporary world, where environmental degradation and climate change are pressing issues, "The Lamb" has gained new relevance. The poem reminds us of the beauty and fragility of the natural world and the importance of protecting it. It also invites us to consider the role of the divine in our lives and the possibility of finding a sense of purpose and meaning in our relationship with nature.

Moreover, the poem's message of innocence and purity has a universal appeal that transcends time and culture. In a world that is often marked by violence, greed, and corruption, "The Lamb" offers a vision of a world that is gentle, innocent, and pure. It reminds us of the power of simplicity and the beauty of the natural world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Lamb" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and innocence of nature and explores the deeper questions of human existence. It invites us to contemplate the nature of creation, the identity of the creator, and the relationship between human beings and the divine. Through its pastoral imagery and simple language, it offers us a vision of a world that is gentle, innocent, and pure, a world that we can aspire to create.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Lamb by William Blake: A Poem of Innocence and Divine Love

William Blake’s The Lamb is a classic poem that has been cherished by readers for centuries. It is a poem that speaks of innocence, purity, and divine love. The poem is part of Blake’s Songs of Innocence and is a companion piece to The Tyger, which is part of his Songs of Experience. The Lamb is a short and sweet poem that is easy to read and understand, yet it is filled with deep meaning and symbolism. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in The Lamb.

The poem begins with the speaker asking a little lamb if it knows who created it. The lamb is innocent and pure, and the speaker is trying to connect it to its creator. The speaker asks the lamb, “Little Lamb, who made thee? / Dost thou know who made thee?” The repetition of the question emphasizes the importance of the question and the speaker’s desire to connect the lamb to its creator.

The second stanza of the poem answers the question asked in the first stanza. The speaker tells the lamb that its creator is none other than God. The speaker says, “He is called by thy name, / For He calls Himself a Lamb.” The speaker is referring to Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the Lamb of God in the Bible. The use of the word “He” with a capital H emphasizes the divine nature of the creator.

The third stanza of the poem is a repetition of the first stanza, with a slight variation. The speaker asks the lamb if it knows who created it, but this time the speaker adds a rhetorical question. The speaker asks, “Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee, / Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee: / He is called by thy name, / For He calls Himself a Lamb.” The repetition of the first stanza emphasizes the importance of the question, while the addition of the rhetorical question emphasizes the speaker’s desire to connect the lamb to its creator.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a prayer to the lamb’s creator. The speaker asks God to bless the lamb and to be its shepherd. The speaker says, “He is called by thy name, / For He calls Himself a Lamb. / He is called by thy name, / And He is thy God, / And thou art His little Lamb.” The repetition of the phrase “He is called by thy name” emphasizes the connection between the lamb and its creator. The use of the word “thy” instead of “your” emphasizes the intimacy between the lamb and its creator.

The themes of innocence, purity, and divine love are prominent in The Lamb. The lamb is innocent and pure, and the speaker is trying to connect it to its creator. The speaker emphasizes the divine nature of the creator by referring to Him as “He” with a capital H. The use of the word “Lamb” to refer to Jesus Christ emphasizes His innocence and purity. The speaker’s prayer to God to bless the lamb and to be its shepherd emphasizes the divine love that God has for His creation.

The symbolism used in The Lamb is also significant. The lamb is a symbol of innocence and purity. The use of the word “Lamb” to refer to Jesus Christ is a symbol of His innocence and purity. The repetition of the phrase “He is called by thy name” is a symbol of the connection between the lamb and its creator. The use of the word “thy” instead of “your” is a symbol of the intimacy between the lamb and its creator.

The literary devices used in The Lamb are also significant. The repetition of the question “Little Lamb, who made thee?” emphasizes the importance of the question and the speaker’s desire to connect the lamb to its creator. The repetition of the phrase “He is called by thy name” emphasizes the connection between the lamb and its creator. The use of the word “thy” instead of “your” emphasizes the intimacy between the lamb and its creator. The use of the word “Lamb” to refer to Jesus Christ is an example of symbolism.

In conclusion, The Lamb by William Blake is a classic poem that speaks of innocence, purity, and divine love. The poem is easy to read and understand, yet it is filled with deep meaning and symbolism. The repetition of the question “Little Lamb, who made thee?” emphasizes the importance of the question and the speaker’s desire to connect the lamb to its creator. The repetition of the phrase “He is called by thy name” emphasizes the connection between the lamb and its creator. The use of the word “thy” instead of “your” emphasizes the intimacy between the lamb and its creator. The use of the word “Lamb” to refer to Jesus Christ is an example of symbolism. The Lamb is a poem that has stood the test of time and will continue to be cherished by readers for centuries to come.

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