William Blake

Richard Herne Shepherd

Comprising Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Together with Poetical Sketches and Some Copyright Poems Not in Any Other Collection

The Poems of William Blake

Rethinking Milton’s "Paradise Lost", William Blake examines ‘innocence’ and ‘experience’ in this beautiful collection. "Poems of William Blake" combines three classic books of his essential poetry. In "The Book of Thel", Blake tells the story of Thel who wanders from her home in the Vales of Har to the underground realm of the dead. In the deceptively simple and lyrical "Songs of Innocence" and its counterpoint "Songs of Experience", Blake further explores this dichotomy, juxtaposing poems such as "The Lamb" and "The Tyger", and "The Blossom" and "The Sick Rose". William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker, largely unrecognized in his own lifetime, but now widely acclaimed as a major figure in the history of the poetry and art of the Romantic Age. His major works include "Songs of Innocence", "Songs of Experience", "The Book of Thel", and "Milton: A Poem"

Poems of William Blake

Sarah Escorsa

This was my first time reading poems by William Blake and I can’t say I was terribly impressed. Admittedly, I don’t read much poetry but I do enjoy it once in a while. 

The main problem I had with these poems is that they made me feel like I was a 10-year-old schoolgirl again. They were simplistic, dreadfully unoriginal and quite boring. To me Blake’s poetry lacks rhythm and his verses lack fluidity. Definitely not the kind of poetry I enjoy reading.

The Poems of William Blake Comprising Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Together with Poetical Sketches and Some Copyright Poems Not in Any Other Collection

Reviews

Highlights