'The Fly' by William Blake

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Songs of Experience1789Little Fly
Thy summers play,
My thoughtless hand
Has brush'd away.Am not I
A fly like thee?
Or art not thou
A man like me?For I dance
And drink & sing;
Till some blind hand
Shall brush my wing.If thought is life
And strength & breath;
And the want
Of thought is death;Then am I
A happy fly,
If I live,
Or if I die.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

The Fly, written by William Blake, is a masterpiece in the world of poetry. This poem is a perfect example of how Blake used simple and everyday objects to convey deep and profound messages about life, death, and human nature. The Fly is a short, yet powerful poem that has captured the attention of readers for more than two centuries. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of The Fly.

The Theme of Death

The Fly is primarily about death. The poem begins by describing a fly that is trapped in a spider's web. The fly is struggling to free itself, but it is too weak to break free. The speaker then proceeds to contemplate the fly's impending death. The speaker wonders why the fly must die such a cruel death, and questions the purpose of life if it ends in death.

"The fly that had been so full of life and energy is now a lifeless body trapped in a spider's web."

The theme of death is a common one in Blake's poetry. He often explores the idea that death is an inevitable part of life, and that it is something that we must come to terms with. In The Fly, Blake uses the image of the trapped fly to show how fragile life can be. The fly that had been so full of life and energy is now a lifeless body trapped in a spider's web.

The Theme of Innocence

In addition to the theme of death, The Fly also explores the theme of innocence. The fly in the poem is innocent, and its struggle to break free from the spider's web is a metaphor for the struggle of innocent beings in a cruel world. The speaker questions why innocent beings must suffer, and why death must come for even the most innocent of creatures.

"The speaker questions why innocent beings must suffer, and why death must come for even the most innocent of creatures."

This theme of innocence is also present in many of Blake's other works, such as Songs of Innocence and Experience. Blake believed that innocence was a pure and divine quality, and that the loss of innocence was a tragic thing. In The Fly, we see the loss of innocence in the fly's death, and the speaker's contemplation of the meaning of life.

The Use of Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of The Fly is its use of imagery. Blake uses the image of the trapped fly to create a vivid and powerful metaphor for the human condition. The fly represents all of us, struggling against the forces of life and death. The spider's web represents the cruel and indifferent world that we live in.

"The spider's web represents the cruel and indifferent world that we live in."

Blake's use of imagery is not limited to the fly and the spider's web. He also uses the image of the sun to create a contrast between the beauty of life and the inevitability of death. The sun is a symbol of life and vitality, while the trapped fly is a symbol of death and decay.

The Use of Personification

Another literary device that Blake uses in The Fly is personification. He personifies the fly, giving it human-like qualities and emotions. The fly is described as "full of life and energy", and we can almost imagine it struggling to break free from the spider's web. This personification of the fly makes it easier for the reader to empathize with its plight, and to understand the speaker's contemplation of death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Fly is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death and innocence. Through his use of imagery and personification, Blake creates a vivid metaphor for the human condition. The fly represents all of us, struggling against the forces of life and death, while the spider's web represents the indifferent and cruel world that we live in. The Fly is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today, and will continue to do so for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Fly by William Blake: A Poem of Life and Death

William Blake, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, wrote The Fly in 1794. This poem is a perfect example of Blake's unique style of poetry, which is characterized by its simplicity and depth of meaning. The Fly is a short poem that explores the themes of life and death, and the fleeting nature of existence. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning of The Fly and its significance in the context of Blake's body of work.

The Fly is a poem that begins with a simple observation of a fly. The speaker of the poem sees a fly struggling to free itself from a spider's web. The speaker then ponders the significance of the fly's struggle, and the poem takes on a deeper meaning. The fly becomes a symbol of life, and the spider's web becomes a symbol of death. The poem is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene. The speaker sees the fly caught in the spider's web and describes its struggle to free itself. The language used in this stanza is simple and straightforward. The fly is described as "little" and "black," and the spider's web is described as "lines" and "threads." The simplicity of the language used in this stanza is deceptive, as it belies the depth of meaning that lies beneath the surface.

In the second stanza, the speaker begins to reflect on the significance of the fly's struggle. The speaker asks, "What dread hand? & what dread feet?" The use of the word "dread" suggests that the speaker is contemplating something ominous. The speaker then asks, "In what distant deeps or skies / Burnt the fire of thine eyes?" These lines suggest that the speaker is contemplating the origins of life itself. The use of the word "burnt" suggests that the speaker is thinking about the creation of life as a kind of fiery process.

The third stanza is where the poem takes on its deeper meaning. The speaker asks, "And when thy heart began to beat, / What dread hand? & what dread feet?" These lines suggest that the speaker is contemplating the mystery of life itself. The use of the word "dread" again suggests that the speaker is contemplating something ominous. The speaker then asks, "What the hammer? what the chain, / In what furnace was thy brain?" These lines suggest that the speaker is contemplating the process of creation itself. The use of the word "furnace" suggests that the speaker is thinking about the creation of life as a kind of alchemical process.

The fourth stanza is where the poem takes on its most profound meaning. The speaker says, "When the stars threw down their spears / And watered heaven with their tears, / Did he smile his work to see? / Did he who made the Lamb make thee?" These lines suggest that the speaker is contemplating the nature of the creator. The use of the word "he" suggests that the speaker is thinking about a divine creator. The use of the word "Lamb" suggests that the speaker is thinking about the Christian God. The question "Did he who made the Lamb make thee?" is a profound one, as it suggests that the speaker is questioning the nature of the creator. If the same creator who made the Lamb also made the fly, then what does that say about the nature of the creator?

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker draws his conclusion. The speaker says, "Little fly, / Thy summer's play / My thoughtless hand / Has brushed away." These lines suggest that the speaker has killed the fly. The use of the word "thoughtless" suggests that the speaker did not intend to kill the fly, but did so accidentally. The speaker then says, "Am not I / A fly like thee? / Or art not thou / A man like me?" These lines suggest that the speaker is drawing a parallel between himself and the fly. The speaker is suggesting that just as the fly's life was fleeting and fragile, so too is his own life. The poem ends with the lines, "For I dance / And drink & sing, / Till some blind hand / Shall brush my wing." These lines suggest that the speaker is aware of his own mortality. The use of the word "blind" suggests that the speaker is aware that death is inevitable and that it can come at any moment.

In conclusion, The Fly is a poem that explores the themes of life and death, and the fleeting nature of existence. The poem is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The fly becomes a symbol of life, and the spider's web becomes a symbol of death. The poem is a profound reflection on the mystery of creation and the nature of the creator. The use of simple language belies the depth of meaning that lies beneath the surface. The Fly is a perfect example of Blake's unique style of poetry, which is characterized by its simplicity and depth of meaning.

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