William Blake, Research Paper Example

Religion in William Blake’s “The Divine Image” and “The Human Abstract”

The “Songs of Innocence” by William Blake focus on the innocence of the world and human beings. Contained within this work are two specific poems by Blake which center on mercy, pity, peace and love as they relate to human beings. “The Divine Image” glorifies God for the creation of human. The companion piece of work to this is “The Human Abstract.” This work combines humility into the mix. The underlying theme deals with religion as a part of society.  How mankind should see the role of religion as it relates to their creation and how it is experienced in everyday life by all humans.

Blake was raised in a Baptist religious association; however, his philosophies differed from traditional religions. He did proclaim to be a Christian, although he avoided affiliations with any particular denomination. Blake believes in two contrary states to the human soul, that a person makes their own condition, although children are born ‘naturally good’ (Griffiths, 2010). This was in conflict to common thought at that time which dictated that humans are all born to original sin and are naturally bad.

Blake was very critical of organized religion and these poems expose his philosophy of the natural world and natural order. He particularly disputes the rigidity of the church and their stance on sanctioned salvation. This is demonstrated in The Divine Image as he states “In heathen, Turk, or Jew. Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell, There God is dwelling too” (page 12).  In “The Divine Image” Blake is attributing virtues to the human body; while glorifying God for creating the human body.  “The Divine Image states “Mercy has a human heart” (p. 12); but in “The Human Abstract” Blake depicts cruelty as the culprit to human frailty. “Then cruelty knits a snare and spreads his with care” (Blake, 1982, p. 27). This demonstrates the world of innocence against an evil world corrupted by man.

These companion poems are similar in that they both deal with religion in society.  The poems focus on mercy, pity, peace and love; the four virtues of delight.  Both poems demonstrate how mercy, pity, peace and love are all conditions of the human form. The variations come into play as the second poem implies that poverty or the unhappiness of others is the only way that humans can achieve these characteristics.  “The Human Abstract” also attributes cruelty, mystery and deceit to be human traits; along with humility in particular. This poem conveys that the characteristics of mankind are all there because of selfishness and self-absorption (Sparknotes, 2010).

Although these two poems by Blake are considered companion poems, they demonstrate two different views of mankind and religion. “The Divine Image” is a poem of love and honor to God and to the human form. “The Human Abstract” is a closer analysis of the negative attributes of the human body and mind. The author argues that if everyone were happy there would be no need for mercy. The poem describes the manner in which cruelty plants and waters a tree in the human brain with the roots being humility, the leaves are mystery and the fruit is deceit (Sparknotes, 2010).

Blake incorporates biblical allusion throughout the poems as well as symbolism. The Tree of Mystery refers to the tree of knowledge of good and evil in Genesis. The growth of the tree is used to symbolize the advanced stages of deception (DocShare, 2010). The caterpillar and the fly feed from the tree and represent organized religion. Blake seems to oppose both organization religion and organized society. His works reflect his belief in the natural world. A known critic of organized religion, Blake is illustrating the hypocrisy of the church. Both poems suggest that man and organized religion long for the virtues of mercy, pity, peace and love; but does not follow them.

The poems look at what is divine and what is human. Blake identifies the two together and that when we pray to God, it is also a prayer to man as he sees any deities are within us all.  In “The Divine Image” God is referenced in the image of man. In “The Human Abstract” Blake alludes to the exaggerated institutions of religion being false and do not honor the true identify of God and man. The four virtues represent God and Man in Blake’s writing.

William Blake wrote “Songs of Innocence” during a time period of great controversy with social and political turmoil. This was during the French Revolution and is thought to have influenced his writings. Blake was not politically affiliated with any particular party but he did place importance on social elements. “The Divine Image” and “The Human Abstract” demonstrate his belief in religious and social interdependence.  He believed in the concept of mankind and innocence and being able to express openly creativity and imagination.

Works Cited

Blake, William. The Divine Image and The Human Abstract. The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake. Anchor Books/Random House, New York. 1982. Web. Retrieved May 6, 2010 from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385152132#reader_0385152132

DocShare. Analysis of William Blake’s Poems a Divine Image and the Human Abstract. Web. 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2010 from http://www.docshare.com/doc/10292/Analysis-of-William-Blakes-Poems-A-Divine-Ima

Griffiths, Nick. Poetry Analysis: William Blake and Religion. Web. Retrieved May 6, 2010 from http://www.helium.com/items/526729-poetry-analysis-willam-blake-and-religion

Sparknotes. Songs of Innocence and Experience. Web. 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2010 from http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/blake/section3.rhtml