Songs of Innocence and Experience by William Blake
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The figures of Adam and Eve bend downward (as do many of the figures in the Songs of Experience ). The bird flies upwards, however, suggesting innocence. The blue of ‘SONGS’ also contrasts with the red of most of the plate.
Shepherd-Piper Illustration
The shepherd-piper possibly bears some physical resemblance to Blake himself. His eyes are looking directly into the eyes of the cherubic boy, indicating his divine, imaginative inspiration. The cherub’s wide arms indicate the breadth of the imaginative world that the piper can guide the reader towards. The pipe indicates his role as poet-piper, and his role as a shepherd suggests he is leading his sheep (his readers). The sheep themselves are an image of innocence, but the shepherd-piper has stepped through the gate of the two framing trees into the world of experience, and we are expected to follow. The innocent world is a place of beauty and wonder, but we must be drawn into experience, its contrary, to truly appreciate either state.
Songs of Innocence Title Page
The words ‘Songs of Innocence’ are intertwined with a fruitful apple tree. Some of the letters of the title are sprouting leaves, indicating life and growth. The blue and golden colours are often associated with heaven. Under the tree, representing security as well as fruitfulness, a mother nurtures two children. The presence of strong parental figures is a feature of the world of innocence. The children are reading from a book – perhaps the bible, indicating the divine certainties of innocence, or perhaps Blake’s Songs. A vine twines about the fruit tree in a manner that resembles artistic representations of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. This is a first hint of the world of experience – never far off in the world of innocence. The serpent should not necessarily be seen as an evil figure; his temptation is a necessary element in crossing the threshold to the world of experience.
Introduction
The first poem is framed by intertwining vine stocks, probably indicating growth and life. The colours of sky blue and gold are again prominent, implying heaven. The figures that can be discerned in the eight miniatures appear happy and fulfilled.
Shepherd-Piper Illustration
The shepherd-piper possibly bears some physical resemblance to Blake himself. His eyes are looking directly into the eyes of the cherubic boy, indicating his divine, imaginative inspiration. The cherub’s wide arms indicate the breadth of the imaginative world that the piper can guide the reader towards. The pipe indicates his role as poet-piper, and his role as a shepherd suggests he is leading his sheep (his readers). The sheep themselves are an image of innocence, but the shepherd-piper has stepped through the gate of the two framing trees into the world of experience, and we are expected to follow. The innocent world is a place of beauty and wonder, but we must be drawn into experience, its contrary, to truly appreciate either state.
Songs of Innocence Title Page
The words ‘Songs of Innocence’ are intertwined with a fruitful apple tree. Some of the letters of the title are sprouting leaves, indicating life and growth. The blue and golden colours are often associated with heaven. Under the tree, representing security as well as fruitfulness, a mother nurtures two children. The presence of strong parental figures is a feature of the world of innocence. The children are reading from a book – perhaps the bible, indicating the divine certainties of innocence, or perhaps Blake’s Songs. A vine twines about the fruit tree in a manner that resembles artistic representations of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. This is a first hint of the world of experience – never far off in the world of innocence. The serpent should not necessarily be seen as an evil figure; his temptation is a necessary element in crossing the threshold to the world of experience.
Introduction
The first poem is framed by intertwining vine stocks, probably indicating growth and life. The colours of sky blue and gold are again prominent, implying heaven. The figures that can be discerned in the eight miniatures appear happy and fulfilled.
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