Delgadillo 1

R.J. Delgadillo
Mrs. Garza
English II 5
th
Period
February 21
st
, 2014
The Tyger
How could something so beautiful be capable of so much evil? That is the question
William Blake asks throughout his poem The Tyger. This poem was written in 1794, as a part of
Blakes Songs of Experience. In these, he explores the presence of violence and destruction in
a world made by God, a benevolent entity (Poetry AnalysisWilliam Blake). This fits the
theme of the Tyger, as you will see in the analysis. Blake uses deep symbolism, powerful
imagery, and several allusions to ask a question common among mankind.
The meaning behind The Tyger is the classic battle in Christianity of good versus evil.
This relates to Blake, because he was Christian, and the Bible had an early and profound
influence on him. This would remain a lifetime source of inspiration, filling his life and works
with intense spirituality (William Blake Biography). When he was younger, he spoke of
having visions. At age 4, he said he saw God put his head through the window, and at around
the age of ten he saw a tree full of angels when he was walking through the countryside
(William Blake). Another event that inspired him was when his brother Robert died in 1787
(William Blake Biography). When he died, Blake apparently saw his brothers spirit rise
through the ceiling while clapping its hands with joy (William Blake). All these experiences
had a great influence on many of his works later on, which is why many of them are about
subjects or themes in Christianity, like in The Tyger.
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The most prominent poetical element in this poem is probably symbolism. In the poem,
almost everything described is actually something more than what it seems. The poem can be
interpreted many different ways, and so can each thing in the poem. Although, I think it is most
agreeable that the Tyger symbolizes human nature, or a symbol of all creation (Edublogs). The
Tyger represents human nature and creation, because of the question Blake is asking. How can
something so beautiful, be capable of doing such evil? Blake also uses parts of the body to
represent God, such as the hands and eyes (Edublogs). In line 3, he says What immortal hand or
eye, / Could frame thy fearful symmetry? (Blake). In other words, hes asking why God would
create something with such fearful symmetry. He also uses stars to represent angels in line 17,
saying When the stars threw down their spears (Blake) (Edublogs). Like I said, each thing can
be interpreted differently, but there is no doubt that the symbolism used in this poem is
meaningful.
Whether it is hiding behind symbolism or in plain sight, Blake creates powerful imagery
with his words in this poem. You can find imagery in the second line of the poem. Blake says in
the forests of the night (Blake), and this creates an image of a dark forest where the Tyger may
be lurking (Edublogs). Stanza four of the poem also creates vivid imagery, by using items a
blacksmith would usually use to create something. (Songs Of InnocenceAnalysis). You can
see a blacksmith creating something at a forge, and Blake uses this to show us his idea of the
Tyger being created. Another example of imagery is in line five, saying, in what distant deeps
or skies (Blake). This example lies beyond an allusion, but it creates an image of Heaven and
Hell. Heaven being the skies, and Hell being the distant deeps. As you can see, some of the
imagery in the poem can be found in plain sight, but some lies beyond the words he uses.
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Throughout the poem, there are many allusions to Christian themes and stories, as well as
Greek gods and goddesses. One of the examples I have already referenced for imagery, but it is
also a biblical allusion. As I said, in what distant deeps or skies refers to Heaven and Hell
(Edublogs). It makes sense as Heaven is usually imagined to be in or beyond the skies, and Hell
is said to be an empty place of suffering, hence the description saying distant deeps. Another
Christian allusion is found near the end of the poem, in stanza five. Blake writes, When the stars
threw down their spears / And water'd heaven with their tears (Blake). This is a reference to the
battle between Gods angels and Lucifers angels (Edublogs). When he states that the stars
watered heaven with their tears Blake is probably referring to the fact that the angels are sad
that Lucifer and the other angels have turned against God. As for the Greek deities reference,
there are a few. One can be found in the second stanza, and it is an allusion to Icarus (Edublogs).
Blake writes on what wings dare he aspire? (Blake). This is a reference to the story of Icarus,
who wants to fly to the sun, but he gets to close and his wings melt, so he ultimately fails.
Another one is found is the same stanza, one line under. It says What the hand, dare seize the
fire? (Blake). This is a reference to Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods when he was not
supposed to do so (Edublogs). Both of these help out in Blakes point. Why would God even
dare to create something capable of doing such evil? The allusions in this poem are also like the
imagery in the poem; some are in plain sight and with others, you have to dig deeper.
Overall, this poem is much more than just a bunch of questions. Each line has its own
meaning. The symbolism, imagery, and allusions make the poem much more than it first appears.
Blake does a great job in making you wonder about the subject. It makes you think about the
questions yourself. His writing style and the way it is formatted in question forms makes it have
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even more of an effect. In my opinion, the poem is genius, because it takes a common question
and makes it something much more. Its a beautiful poem with a powerful meaning.





















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Works Cited
Blake, William. The Tyger. Poetry Foundation. N.P., N.D.. Web. February 6
th
, 2014.
<http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/172943>
Poetry Analysis: The Tyger by: William Blake. Edublogs. N.P., N.D.. Web. February 9
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,
2014 <http://www.hero028.edublogs.org/poetry-analysis-the-tyger-by-william-blake/>
Poetry Analysis The Tyger by William Blake. Humanities 360. Helium Inc., October 12
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,
2013. Web. February 9
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, 2014. <http://www.humanities360.com/index.php/poetry-
analysis-the tyger-by-william-blake-58202/>
Songs of Innocence and Experience Summary and Analysis. GradeSaver. N.P., N.D.. Web.
February 9
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, 2014. <http://www.gradesaver.com/songs-of-innocence-and-
experience/study-guide/section29/>
William Blake. Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, 2014. Web. February 9
th
, 2014.
<http://www.poets.org/printpoet.php/prmPID/116>
William Blake Biography. Biography. N.P., 2014. Web. February 9
th
, 2014.
<http://www.biography,com/print/profile/william-blake-9214491>