'Jerusalem : I see the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in deadly sleep' by William Blake
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1I see the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in deadly sleep
2And its fallen Emanation, the Spectre and its cruel Shadow.
3I see the Past, Present and Future existing all at once
4Before me. O Divine Spirit, sustain me on thy wings,
5That I may awake Albion from his long and cold repose;
6For Bacon and Newton, sheath'd in dismal steel, their terrors hang
7Like iron scourges over Albion: reasonings like vast serpents
8Infold around my limbs, bruising my minute articulations.
9I turn my eyes to the schools and universities of Europe
10And there behold the Loom of Locke, whose Woof rages dire,
11Wash'd by the Water-wheels of Newton: black the cloth
12In heavy wreaths folds over every nation: cruel works
13Of many Wheels I view, wheel without wheel, with cogs tyrannic
14Moving by compulsion each other, not as those in Eden, which,
15Wheel within wheel, in freedom revolve in harmony and peace.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
William Blake's poem "Jerusalem: I See the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in Deadly Sleep" is a complex work of art that requires a deep understanding of the poet's mythology, symbolism, and philosophy. This poem, a part of the larger work "Milton," is often compared to "The Four Zoas," another one of Blake's legendary works. In this essay, we explore the themes, symbolism, and imagery of "Jerusalem: I See the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in Deadly Sleep" to uncover the intricate web of meaning hidden beneath the surface.
Themes
The poem tackles several themes that are central to Blake's philosophy. One of the most prominent themes is the concept of the four-fold man, which is rooted in Blake's belief that humans have four distinct states of being: the physical, the emotional, the intellectual, and the spiritual. The four-fold man is a recurring motif throughout Blake's works, and it represents the different levels of consciousness that humans can attain.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of death and rebirth. Blake believed that death was not the end of life but rather a transition to a higher state of being. In the poem, the four-fold man is depicted as being in a state of "deadly sleep," which signifies the spiritual death of humanity. However, this death is not permanent, as the poem ends with a call to awaken from this sleep and to embrace a new life.
Symbolism
The poem is rich in symbolism, and every word seems to be carefully chosen to convey a deeper meaning. One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the image of Jerusalem, which represents the spiritual center of the world. Blake believed that Jerusalem was more than just a physical location but rather a symbol of divine consciousness. In the poem, Jerusalem is depicted as being in a state of "deadly sleep," which symbolizes the spiritual death of humanity.
Another important symbol in the poem is the four-fold man, which represents the different levels of consciousness that humans can attain. Each of the four levels is associated with a different animal: the physical level is associated with the lion, the emotional level is associated with the ox, the intellectual level is associated with the eagle, and the spiritual level is associated with the human. These animals represent the different aspects of human nature, and the four-fold man represents the integration of these aspects into a unified consciousness.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is vivid and striking, and it serves to reinforce the themes and symbolism of the poem. One of the most powerful images in the poem is the image of the four-fold man, which is depicted as being trapped in a state of "deadly sleep." This image is both haunting and beautiful, and it conveys the sense of spiritual emptiness that Blake believed was pervasive in his time.
Another striking image in the poem is the image of the "dragon form" that is described as being "red & hot as a flaming coal." This image represents the destructive forces that are at work in the world, and it serves as a warning of the dangers of unchecked passion and desire.
Interpretation
The poem "Jerusalem: I See the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in Deadly Sleep" can be interpreted in several ways, depending on one's perspective. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a critique of the spiritual emptiness of modern society. Blake believed that the dominant culture of his time was focused on materialism and the pursuit of pleasure, and he saw this as a form of spiritual death. The four-fold man, trapped in a state of "deadly sleep," represents the spiritual potential that is being wasted in a world obsessed with the physical.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a call to awaken from this spiritual death and to embrace a new life. The poem ends with a call to "Awake! Awake O sleeper of the land of shadows," which can be seen as a call to action for those who are ready to transcend the limitations of the physical and embrace a higher level of consciousness.
Conclusion
"Jerusalem: I See the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in Deadly Sleep" is a beautiful and complex work of art that requires a deep understanding of Blake's mythology, symbolism, and philosophy. The poem tackles several themes that are central to Blake's philosophy, including the four-fold man, death and rebirth, and the spiritual potential of humanity. The symbolism and imagery in the poem are rich and powerful, and they serve to reinforce the themes of the poem. Ultimately, the poem can be seen as a critique of the spiritual emptiness of modern society and a call to awaken from this spiritual death and embrace a new life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Jerusalem: I see the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in deadly sleep is a classic poem written by William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker. This poem is one of the most famous works of Blake, and it has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and critics for centuries. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker saying, "I see the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in deadly sleep." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is witnessing something profound and significant. The Four-fold Man is a concept that Blake developed in his mythology, and it represents the four aspects of human nature: the physical, the emotional, the intellectual, and the spiritual. The Humanity in deadly sleep refers to the state of humanity, which is asleep to its true nature and potential.
The second stanza of the poem describes the state of the world, which is characterized by war, poverty, and oppression. The speaker says, "And all the Arts of Life they changed into the Arts of Death in Albion." Albion is a term that Blake used to refer to England, and this line suggests that the country has lost its way and is now focused on destruction rather than creation. The Arts of Life refer to the creative and productive aspects of human society, such as art, music, and literature, while the Arts of Death refer to the destructive aspects, such as war and violence.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the character of Los, who is a central figure in Blake's mythology. Los is a symbol of the creative spirit, and he represents the power of imagination and inspiration. The speaker says, "Los in his hammering forge, / Naked of sinewy arm, / On London Stone, / Builded Heaven in Albion." This line suggests that Los is working to create a new world, one that is based on creativity and imagination rather than destruction and violence.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the state of the church, which is also asleep to its true nature and potential. The speaker says, "The Vision of Christ that thou dost see / Is my Vision's Greatest Enemy." This line suggests that the church has lost sight of its true purpose, which is to help people connect with their spiritual nature. Instead, it has become focused on power and control, and it is now an obstacle to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the character of Albion, who is a symbol of England and the English people. The speaker says, "Albion's Angel, / Girded with golden wings, / And naked limbs gleaming in the Sun, / Orbed in a rainbow, / Sitting upon the stones of fire, / And the Four-fold Man in his highest form." This line suggests that Albion has the potential to be a great nation, one that is based on creativity, imagination, and spiritual growth. However, it is currently asleep to its true nature and potential, and it needs to awaken in order to fulfill its destiny.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem describes the speaker's vision of a new world, one that is based on creativity, imagination, and spiritual growth. The speaker says, "I see Jerusalem builded here, / Among these dark Satanic Mills." This line suggests that a new Jerusalem, a symbol of spiritual enlightenment and growth, can be built in the midst of the current state of the world, which is characterized by war, poverty, and oppression. The speaker goes on to say, "Bring me my Bow of burning gold: / Bring me my Arrows of desire: / Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold! / Bring me my Chariot of fire!" This line suggests that the speaker is ready to take action, to fight for a new world that is based on creativity, imagination, and spiritual growth.
In conclusion, Jerusalem: I see the Four-fold Man, The Humanity in deadly sleep is a powerful and profound poem that explores the themes of creativity, imagination, and spiritual growth. It suggests that the current state of the world, which is characterized by war, poverty, and oppression, is a result of humanity being asleep to its true nature and potential. However, it also suggests that a new world, one that is based on creativity, imagination, and spiritual growth, can be built in the midst of the current state of the world. This poem is a call to action, a call to awaken to our true nature and potential, and to work towards building a new world that is based on creativity, imagination, and spiritual growth.
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