2. WILLIAM BLAKE
About Blake
William Blake was an artist and a poet born in England, Nov. 28,
1757, died Aug. 12, 1827.
Was born to a moderately wealthy family and home schooled by his
mother during his early childhood. At age 10 he was put in drawing
classes and then apprenticed to an engraver
He was married once to Catherine Boucher, they did not have any
children.
Was known to be inspired by ‘visions’.
3. WILLIAM BLAKE’S WORKS
Poetry
Blake wrote many poems, the majority of which were published in
collections.
His first collection was entitled Poetical Sketches and published in 1783.
The most well known poetry collections are the Songs of Innocence and
the Songs of Experience.
He published many poems including A Cradle Song, A Dream, A
Poison Tree, Broken Love, and Ah Sunflower.
4. CONT.
Painting
Did water colored scenes from the works of Milton, Dante,
Shakespeare, and the Bible.
Engraving
Made the majority of his living as an engraver.
Did many commissioned engravings for biblical, and historical
purposes.
Illustrated many of his own writings with engravings.
5. POEMS
A Dream
A fable told in the form of a dream that the speaker had.
Ah! Sun-flower
A meditation on a sunflower’s desire to follow the sun.
6. A DREAM
Made up of five stanzas, of paired rhyming couplets.
The story of an aunt trying to reunite with her family
The motherly aunt is helped by the glow worm and beetle.
The aunt may represent the human soul, while the glow worm and
beetle show divine guidance.
It is believed to be a record of a ‘vision’ that William Blake had.
7. AH! SUN-FLOWER
It is made up of two stanzas, with an AB AB rhyming scheme.
The sunflower is seeking the perfect place, where the sun always
shines.
The sunflower represents human aspirations, which are always
seeking but never fulfilled.
