Critical sommentary on London and Jerusalem by William Blake Essay

The poetry of William Blake is well known for its metaphysical language and profound symbolism. In his deuce poems, entitled London and Jerusalem his use of these techniques, alongside galore(postnominal) others, is crucial in his portrayal of the dirty tendencies of man and his perspective on religion and England during the Industrial variety. Throughout these poems Blake reveals his strong dis uniform for the Industrial Revolution and its notion on London, expressed particularly in his poem London.His poem Jerusalem focuses in truth(prenominal) much so on the innate(p) beauty of England and religion in England. Blake, much like many Romantic poets, bases his writings on emotion rather than intellect. This is evident byout these poems as Blake appeals to the senses and stirs readers to question their break down with regards to England and its natural beauty. The poem London by William Blake begins with a cynical portrayal of the authority figures during the Romantic era, th ese macrocosm the church service service and the King.This is evident in Blakes use of the word chartd which implies that the streets and Thames are own by the state, exposing the oppressive nature of working capitalism in England during this era, this also proposes that nature is controlled by the wealthy. A bolshy reading of this shows the relationship between the Church or King and the land over which they rule, portraying the capital power as the bourgeoisie and their land and large number on it as the proletariat.Blake continues to communicate to the reader the effect of this oppression in the line, Marks of weakness, marks of woe. This depicts the sadness and helplessness of the people of London. The poem is dark and gothic which is evident in Blakes use of the words, manacles, blights and plagues. The use of this language aids in his depiction of a corrupt society. The beat of the poem is insistent this also emphasizes the constant pressures placed upon society.Throug hout the next two stanzas there is a strong sense of discontent and subjugation shown in the line, The mind-forgd manacles I hear. This accentuates the churches and or the kings control over the minds of man, at once again exploiting the corruptive nature that is brought about by authority and power. The values of the Christian church are challenged as Blake exposes the many flaws of the church and its corruptive tendencies.As a contemporary reader it is evident still to this day that England, the mother country, is still ever-changing and very much so industrialized, as in Blakes era. The church is a symbol for salvation, hope and base hit though Blake presents the church as corrupt, oppressive and controlling this challenges the values of many contemporary readers and those of Blakes era. unadorned in the line, Every blackning Church appalls. This line also portrays the church as not tout ensemble corrupt, rather, slowly blackning or becoming corrupt.In the last stanza Blake proposes that marriage is an end to freedom as shown in, And the blights with plagues the Marriage hearse. Marriage, commonly takes place in a church, again this is associated with the controlling and oppressive nature of the church during the Romantic period. The use of archaic language in this poem adds to its gothic nature and aids in creating a short and sharp beat throughout the poem, the use of the ABCB rhyming pattern is simplistic and repetitive creating an atmosphere of continuity.In Blakes poem entitled Jerusalem the persona questions the theory that Jesus was once in England as a child this is supported by the first stanza, And did those feet in ancient succession Walk upon Englands mountains green? And was the holy Lamb Of God On Englands benignant pastures seen? Blake utilizes a somber tone throughout the poem as he is discussing his own country in a seemingly patriotic manner. The poem is full of metaphor which aids in Blakes representation of the church as an ever changing authority.In the line, Among these dark satanic mills Blake could be referring to the Industrial rotation or the universities and churches during the Romantic period which would repress the minds of society and corrupt. Throughout the poem Blake makes constant reference to Englands beauty, this contrasts to the dark satanic mills, the bow of burning gold and the chariot of fire which is all manmade, Blake is juxtaposing the natural beauty of England with its industrial capabilities.In the third and fourth stanza Blake uses numerous metaphors to emphasize his fight against the clergy this is evident in the lines, Bring me my spear O clouds, unfold and I shall not cease in mental fight, gutter we have built Jerusalem In Englands green and pleasant land. The persona plans to kill or rebel, in the name of God in order to build his Jerusalem in England. This is much like Blakes London as both poems exploit the church and authority as corrupt, though in the poem Jerusalem Blak e discusses his struggle to fight against this conformity and oppression.London and Jerusalem both describe Blakes home, England. In London, situated not too far from Blakes home, a place of corruption, death and embossment is exposed whilst in Jerusalem Blake portrays England as a beautiful country, one which however lacks guidance and through Christ, Blake seeks this guidance and will not rest until Jerusalem has been built In Englands green and pleasant land.Throughout both poems Blake shows his strong dislike of the Industrial revolution and its effect on England, focusing on London. Blake akin to change throughout his life, portrays, through his two poems the changes occurring in his life and that of many other people and how these changes affect the inhabitants of the world and the world its self.