'Night' by William Blake


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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 heaven's 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 tigers 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 lion's 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, washed in life's river,
My bright mane for ever
Shall shine like the gold
As I guard o'er the fold."

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Night" by William Blake: A Literary Criticism

Oh, "Night" by William Blake! What a masterpiece of poetry! It is impossible to read it without feeling a sense of awe and wonder. This poem is one of the most famous works of Blake, and for a good reason. "Night" is a perfect example of Blake's unique style, his visionary imagination, and his poetic genius.

In this literary criticism, I will analyze "Night" in detail, examining its themes, its imagery, and its symbolism. I will also discuss the historical and cultural context of the poem and its relevance to contemporary readers. So, fasten your seatbelt, and let's explore the wonders of "Night"!

Historical and Cultural Context

Before diving into the poem, let's first understand the historical and cultural context in which it was written. William Blake lived in the late 18th and early 19th century, a period of great political and social changes. The French Revolution had just happened, and the American Revolution was still fresh in people's minds. In England, the Industrial Revolution was transforming the country from an agrarian to an industrial society.

Blake, who was a visionary poet and artist, was deeply concerned about the impact of these changes on human beings and their relationship with the natural world. He saw the world as divided between the forces of reason and order and the forces of imagination and creativity. For Blake, the former represented the tyranny of the mind over the soul, while the latter represented the liberation of the soul from the constraints of reason.

"Night" reflects these concerns and themes. It is a poem that celebrates the power of imagination and the beauty of the natural world, while critiquing the limitations of reason and logic.

Themes

The major themes of "Night" are the power of imagination, the beauty of the natural world, and the limits of reason. Let's examine each of these themes in turn.

The Power of Imagination

"Night" is a celebration of the power of imagination. The poem begins with the speaker stating that "The sun descending in the west, / The evening star does shine; / The birds are silent in their nest, / And I must seek for mine." Here, the speaker is describing the end of the day, a time when most people would be going to bed. However, the speaker is not content with just going to bed; he wants to explore the realms of imagination.

The speaker goes on to describe how he goes on a journey through the night, where he encounters a variety of strange and wondrous creatures. He sees "a tiger, and a leopard spied, / And a lynx with his bright eye." He also sees "a serpent in a cage, / And a tiger on the stage." These images are not meant to be taken literally but are rather symbolic representations of the power of the imagination.

The poem ends with the speaker returning to his bed, where he dreams of "an angelic train / Cherub and Seraphim." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the power of imagination can take us to realms beyond our mundane existence, where we can experience the sublime and the transcendent.

The Beauty of the Natural World

"Night" is also a celebration of the beauty of the natural world. The poem is filled with images of the night sky, the stars, and the moon. The speaker describes how he sees "the moon, like a flower / In heaven's high bower." He also sees "the stars, like a swarm of bees / In heaven's wide wilderness."

The beauty of the natural world is contrasted with the artificiality of human society. The speaker sees "a tiger on the stage," suggesting that even the most magnificent creatures are reduced to mere spectacles for human entertainment. The poem is a critique of the way human beings have separated themselves from nature and have created a world that is devoid of beauty and wonder.

The Limits of Reason

Finally, "Night" is a critique of the limits of reason. The speaker is not content with the mundane world of reason and logic. He wants to explore the world of the imagination, where logic and reason do not apply.

The poem is a critique of the Enlightenment, the intellectual movement that emphasized reason, science, and progress. Blake saw the Enlightenment as a force that was destroying the beauty and wonder of the world, reducing everything to a set of rational and materialistic explanations. "Night" is a call for a return to the world of the imagination, where the soul can be set free from the limitations of reason.

Imagery and Symbolism

"Night" is filled with vivid imagery and symbolism. Let's examine some of the most important images and symbols in the poem.

The Night Sky

The night sky is one of the most important symbols in the poem. It represents the realm of the imagination, the place where the speaker can escape from the mundane world of reason and logic. The night sky is described as a place where the stars are "like a swarm of bees / In heaven's wide wilderness." This image suggests that the night sky is a place of abundance and fertility, where the imagination can thrive.

The Tiger

The tiger is another important symbol in the poem. It represents the power and majesty of nature, as well as the danger and mystery that come with it. The tiger is described as being "burning bright / In the forests of the night." This image suggests that the tiger is a creature of the night, a symbol of the wild and untamed aspects of nature.

The Serpent

The serpent is a symbol of temptation and sin in many religious traditions, and it plays a similar role in "Night." The speaker sees "a serpent in a cage," suggesting that even the most dangerous and seductive aspects of nature have been tamed and put under human control.

The Angelic Train

The angelic train that the speaker dreams of at the end of the poem represents the transcendent and divine aspects of the imagination. The angels are described as being "Cherub and Seraphim," suggesting that they are both powerful and beautiful. The angelic train is a symbol of the ultimate destination of the human soul, a place where the limitations of reason and logic do not apply.

Conclusion

"Night" is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the power of imagination, the beauty of the natural world, and the limits of reason. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Blake takes us on a journey through the night, inviting us to explore the realms of the imagination and to experience the sublime and the transcendent.

As we read "Night" today, in a world that is still struggling with the limitations of reason and the destruction of the natural world, we can find in it a source of inspiration and hope. Blake's vision of a world where the imagination is free to roam and where the beauty of nature is celebrated is more relevant than ever. So, let us embrace the night and explore the wonders of the imagination!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Night: A Masterpiece by William Blake

William Blake, the renowned English poet and artist, is known for his unique style of poetry that combines mysticism, spirituality, and social commentary. One of his most celebrated works is "Poetry Night," a poem that captures the essence of a magical evening where poets gather to share their art.

In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and symbolism of "Poetry Night" and explore how Blake's words transport us to a world of imagination and creativity.

The Poem

To begin, let us read the poem in its entirety:

The moon like a flower In heaven's 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 tigers 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 lion's 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, washed in life's river, My bright mane for ever Shall shine like the gold, As I guard o'er the fold."

The themes

At its core, "Poetry Night" is a celebration of creativity, imagination, and the power of art to transport us to other worlds. The poem is set in a magical landscape where the moon is personified as a flower and angels move silently through the fields, blessing every living thing.

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of harmony between nature and spirituality. Blake portrays a world where even the animals and beasts are cared for by the angels, who seek to protect them from harm. This theme is reinforced by the image of the lion shedding tears of gold, a symbol of the transformation that takes place when wrath and violence are replaced by meekness and compassion.

Another important theme in "Poetry Night" is the idea of sleep as a metaphor for peace and rest. The angels pour sleep on the heads of those who are weeping, and sit down by their beds to comfort them. This image suggests that even in times of sorrow and distress, there is always the possibility of finding solace and comfort in the arms of the divine.

The imagery

Blake's use of imagery in "Poetry Night" is both vivid and evocative. The moon is described as a flower in heaven's high bower, a beautiful and ethereal image that captures the magic of the night. The angels are depicted as silent and unseen, moving through the fields and forests to bless every living thing. The image of the lion shedding tears of gold is particularly striking, as it suggests a transformation from violence and aggression to compassion and empathy.

The symbolism

As with much of Blake's work, "Poetry Night" is rich in symbolism. The moon, for example, is often associated with femininity, intuition, and the unconscious mind. By portraying the moon as a flower, Blake suggests that creativity and imagination are also feminine qualities, and that they are essential for the growth and flourishing of the human spirit.

The angels, meanwhile, are a symbol of divine intervention and protection. They visit every thoughtless nest and every cave of every beast, seeking to keep them safe from harm. This image suggests that even in a world that can be cruel and violent, there is always the possibility of finding protection and comfort in the arms of the divine.

The image of the lion shedding tears of gold is perhaps the most powerful symbol in the poem. It suggests that even the most fearsome and aggressive creatures can be transformed by the power of compassion and empathy. This image is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of finding hope and redemption.

Conclusion

In "Poetry Night," William Blake invites us to enter a world of imagination and creativity, where even the moon is a flower and angels move silently through the fields. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Blake reminds us of the power of art to transport us to other worlds and to connect us with the divine.

At its core, "Poetry Night" is a celebration of harmony, compassion, and the transformative power of love. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of finding solace and comfort in the arms of the divine.

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