ognized as a prophet of the lord in a future reference of religion? A distinction is hard to make, however present day writings tend to agree with the second alternative. “In his prophetic books, William Blake is a visionary who can be compared without blasphemy to the prophets of the Old Testament”. (Knopf, Inner Jacket) The entire poem “The Lamb” seems to be one general question of “how”.Another poem written by Blake entitled “The Tyger”, portrays the tiger as a symbol of evil. This can be seen when Blake writes, “What the anvil, what dread grasp- Dare its deadly terrors clasp?”(Gioa / Kennedy, p.817) By repeating the word “dread” through out the poem, the author emphasizes the evil that consumes the tiger. As in “The Lamb”, Blake ties the tiger to creation and again questions it as an entity. “Did he who make the lamb, make thee?…What immortal hand or eye – Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?” (Gioa / Kennedy, p.817) Although it deals with a similar theme, “The Tyger” doesn’t question “how” it was created, but rather “why” it was created. “When the stars threw down their spears, - And watered the heaven with their tears, - Did he smile his work to see? – Did he who make the lamb make thee?” (Gioa / Kennedy, p.817)Together, “The Lamb” and “The Tyger” focus on the importance of knowing evil (the tiger) is always present, even though it is not always seen. This fable like moral is incorporated in hope of attaining a state of innocence (the lamb). The lamb is a symbol of innocence, the tiger, a symbol of evil. If the lamb is not aware that the tiger is near, it will be devoured; implying the loss of innocence. However, innocence will survive if the lamb exhibits some degree of self - awareness. As you can see, a single theme is continuousl...
