The fun of William Blake

I've taken many English courses over the years I've been at Alverno and explored a diverse group of authors. I've learned much about history and human nature from the works of authors such as Isabel Allende, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Shakespeare. Of all these accomplished people I've studied, a particular writer comes to mind as a fascinating character -- William Blake.

I learned about William Blake in a Romantic Poetry class. (No, thankfully, it's not sappy lovey-dovey stuff. Instead, it's a historical movement in the late 1800s.) These Romantics created art and poetry that rejected using the rigid, more formal standards that came before them. Instead, they began exploring themes of human nature, the natural world, and even began poking at religion.

Specifically, William Blake delighted in poking at religion. As an artist and poet, he created an astonishing amount of material devoted to his religious views. I realize that England in the late 1700s was a fairly secular nation at the time, but I'm surprised he didn't get in more trouble for his opinions.

The pride of the peacock is the glory of God.
As the caterpiller chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
Damn braces. Bless relaxes.

These are some of the Proverbs of Hell, which are included in The Prophetic Books.

He also says in the section titled The Voice of the Devil:
All Bibles or sacred codes have been the causes of the following Errors:
1. That Man has two real existing principles: Viz: a Body & Soul.
2. That Energy, call'd Evil, is alone from the Body; & that Reason, call'd Good, is alone from the Soul.
3. That God will torment Man in Eternity for following his Energies.

Following in the footsteps of John Milton (writer of Paradise Lost), demons, to Blake, are not strictly evil. He often returns to the subject of Hell and its inhabitants, who frequently dispense wisdom instead of wickedness.

Blake writes at length how religion has taught people to separate their minds and bodies, and to regard the body's desires (especially sex) as being bad. Speaking through the voices of his curious cast of demons, he declares that this is false and unhealthy.

Perhaps these kinds of then-shocking opinions were a reason William Blake wasn't very popular during his lifetime. Maybe it was because he insisted on printing all of his books by himself (he was very particular about being independent). Possibly it might have been because Blake claimed to see and communicate with spirits, causing some of his critics to think he was insane. (And maybe he was!) However, his works are famous now, even if they're a bit less...inflammatory. You've probably all seen his art, the Ancient of Days (which you can see at the top of this entry), even if you've never read his works. And, while his poetry and prophecies require a lot of careful examination and digging to make much sense of, I've found it really enjoyable to read his stuff. I still can't believe he got away with writing it!