Imagery Explored in Blake\'s \"The

Imagery Explored in Blake's "The Lamb"

William Blake explores innocence, tenderness, and compassion in his poem, "The Lamb." Through a world in which he creates powerful images, Blake demonstrates how these can easily coexist. The poet compares the image of a lamb to that of Jesus, which includes meekness, tenderness, and forgiveness. By contrasting a supreme being with a lamb, Blake is also demonstrating the ultimate meaning of compassion. The lamb is not a lowly creature but one that commands respect because it is deemed worthy by its creator. "The Lamb" provides an example of how imagery succeeds in creating mood, ton, and definition for the reader.

One of the most prominent images in the poem is the lamb. Additional importance is placed upon it as the speaker of the poem addresses the creature as if it con comprehends language. The speaker asks the lamb as if he has the capacity to understand, empowering him. This scene also provides the reader with an image of the speaker bending down and speaking to the lamb. The speaker asks the lamb, "Dost thou know who made thee / Gave thee life and bid thee feed" (Blake 3-4). Here the image of a creator is not just introduced, it is established as one that cares for every living creature. This creator provides the lamb with "Clothing wooly bright; / Gave thee such a tender voice, / Making all the vale rejoices!" (6-8). Here the speaker is positive to recognize that the creator is responsible for all things. He also wants the lamb to be aware of this as well. This image of the creator is one of compassion and thoughtfulness. These positive images generate respect for the animal that is generally not associated with it.

The second stanza of the poem makes an even closer association to the creator and the lamb by mentioning that fact that Jesus is "called by thy name" (13). Here we see the image of tenderness gain. This is reinforced when the speaker says, "He is meek and he is mild" (13-5). When he states, "He became a little child: / I a child and thou a lamb, / We are called by his name" (16-8), the speaker is incorporating to ideas. One suggestion is of the tenderness of Jesus and the lamb and the other is the notion that the meek shall inherit the earth. This relationship between the lamb, Jesus, and the meek elaborates on a larger notion that we are all connected. The speaker is also suggesting that all living things are holy. There is no doubt here as the speaker uses a voice that is calm, gentle, and confident. As a result of this confidence, the image of all living things is bound through love.