William Blake as a mystic poet

William Blake, a mystic and visionary poet, is known for the personal myths and symbolism he employs
throughout his poetry in general and in "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience" in particular.
Though critics have often charged Blake for the inefficient, at times clumsy, use of grammar in his
poetry, yet his poetry is rich in meaning and style. Blake's poetry is also considered as Romantic in
Nature. In short his poetry is known for its characteristics of mysticism, imagination, visionary aspect,
symbolism, treatment of religion and lyricism. Innocence and disillusionment are the two important
themes his poetry hinges upon while symbolism and mystic element remain the prime means of the
disclosing the ideas and beliefs of the poet. Blake dreamt of a world free from oppression, cruelty and
injustice.

Born in London, Blake lived almost his entire life there. As the second son of a working-class hosier, he
was never able to go to school. Instead, at the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to engraver and for the
remainder of his life it was through this craft that he earned a somewhat precarious livelihood. His deep
mystical intuition and his skill and genius as an artist and poet went almost unrecognized during his life
time. He was able to sell very little of his own artistic output. When he was very young, Blake began to
experience spiritual visions. When he was nine he saw “a tree filled with angels, bright angelic wings
bespangling every bough like stars”. These mystical visions and his spiritual inspiration remained with
him for the rest of life. In his mid-40’s, Blake lived for three years in a small cottage at Felpham on the
Sussex coast where he saw angels descending on a ladder from heaven to his cottage. It was also at this
time that he often saw fairies and once experienced what he understood to be a fairy’s funeral.

Mysticism and melancholy are often companions in poetry. But William Blake is a joyous mystic. Being
a realist, Blake presents gloom as a companion and necessity of joy. He accepts this reality with a
cheerful heart. He wants us to be realistic and this leads to elevation of man's soul:

"Man was made for joy and woe

And, when this we rightly know,

Safely through the world we go."

He wishes to undermine the physical existence and wants to focus on the mind and spiritual purity. He is
a mystic portraying the scenes of daily life. He transforms these everyday things into wonderful objects of
importance with his mystic power. At times, he is a child uttering "little lamb God bless thee". While at
other occasions, he transforms every spot of Nature in holy a place.

"I see a world in a grain of sand

And a heaven in a wild flower;

Hold infinity in a the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour."