The Tyger and the Lamb

William Blake’s poems “The Lamb” and “The Tyger” exemplify the idea of romanticism in Europe through two of this time period’s most defining characteristics, individualism and experience. The first poem “The Lamb” comes from Blake’s larger work Songs of Innocence and focuses on the concepts of innocence and individualism much like a newborn child. Children’s thoughts are not clouded by dismay or previous experience. They merely develop their own, usually simplified, views on life. In “Little Lamb,” Blake tries to express the importance of knowing one’s creator. Blake says “Little Lamb who made thee? / Dost thou know who made thee” (783)? He uses the image of a lamb to make a common biblical reference to Jesus Christ. Blake reminds the reader that Christ has provided everything from food to clothing to life in general. “The Lamb” was meant to spark a renewal in one’s religious beliefs. In addition, the idea of simplicity and purity in thought is evident in the structure of “The Lamb.” Not only is the poem short in length, but it also makes use of simple word choices.

In comparison to “The Lamb” which promotes total faith and devotion to God, William Blake’s poem “The Tyger” focuses on the ideas of religion and creationism versus nature in a more questioning light. “The Lamb” presents creation in a simplistic light of all things being made by God, where as “The Tyger” seeks to understand the motivation behind creation. As part of the larger work Songs of Experience, “The Tyger” exemplifies the Romantic period’s fascination with nature and imagination. Blake begins the poem by describing a tiger’s beautiful appearance yet evil disposition. He poses the question “What immortal hand or eye / Could frame thy fearful symmetry” (787)? Blake asks what kind of creator or specifically God intended when creating such a powerful, malicious beast. He devises this thought