Discover

"'The Tyger'" is a famous poem by the English poet William Blake. The poem was published as part of his collection ''Songs of Experience'' and was written sometime around 1794. It is one of Blake's best known and most analysed poems.

Contents

Themes

Gnosticism

The French Revolution

Spelling of ''tyger''

References in Pop Culture

See also

External links

Themes

Gnosticism

In both form and subject the poem closely follows his earlier work "The Lamb" that was part of his ''Songs of Innocence'' collection. He references this work in the fifth stanza with the question "Did He who made the lamb make thee?". While "The Lamb" lauded a noble and gentle God, "The Tyger" looks at the God who created death and misery in the world. The poem is an exploration of Gnostic thought, which interested Blake very much. This is heavily inspired by the works of John Milton, of whom Blake sometimes considered himself a successor. The lines "On what wings dare he aspire?/What the hand dare seize the fire?" can be seen as a reference to the story of Prometheus or that of ''Paradise Lost'' and begins the speculation that Lucifer may also have played a role in creating the universe. The lines from the fifth stanza "When the stars threw down their spears/ And watered heaven with their tears," are also often considered to be a reference to ''Paradise Lost''. Critical attention has often been drawn to "the arrival of a Great Fiery meteor" over London in the summer of 1783, interpreted by Blake as a Gnostic symbol of divine presence and fertility.
"The Tyger" was published as a part of ''Songs of Experience'' and the poem can also be seen as dealing with the growing knowledge of the world as one ages. While "The Lamb" is grounded in the pastoral settings of Blake's youth "The Tyger" is set in the industrialized modernity. "The Tyger" reflects a knowledge that evil exists in the world and that benevolence is not omnipresent.
"The Tyger" may also be read as an introspection by the mature artist. Blake looks in wonder that the author might be so audacious as to set out to create a powerful poem and to compare his own work to God's creative process. By describing the challenge he faces, Blake acknowledges both his pride in his craft and the fundamental mystery of composition, how does the artist create? The poem both wonders at the creation of the powerful and dangerous animal and stands astonished at the risks taken by the artist attempting this expression. His question "did he who made the Lamb make thee?" recalls that the same person who penned the simple, humble hymn "The Lamb" has become the creator of "The Tyger" and highlights the difference between the innocent youth and experienced maturity of the poet.

The French Revolution

While the incandescent imagery of danger is literally present in the poem, Blake's historical moment must also be considered: the raw energy of the tyger may represent the violent forces of the French Revolution.

Spelling of ''tyger''

Blake's spelling is often idiosyncratic, though "tyger" was a common spelling of the word in his day. It has sometimes been argued that he specifically chose archaic or unusual English spellings in his writings, and that perhaps Tyger "suggests the exotic or alien quality of the beast"^[1]. However, this may be a projection of modern attitudes, since the same spelling was used by writers other than Blake. The retention of the archaic spelling is a convention in modern editions.

References in Pop Culture

★ "Fearful Symmetry", words from the last line of the first and last stanzas, is the title of an episode of the second season of the tv show The X-Files.

★ The first stanza of "The Tyger" is quoted at the end of chapter 5 in Alan Moore's 1986 graphic novel ''Watchmen''.

★ The unnumbered comic book "The Punisher: The Tyger" written by Garth Ennis is all about the comparison between Punisher and The Tyger referenced in the poem.

★ The poem is read in full by Rose in Marvel Comics' "" from a book given to her by the foreman Smitty in a mining town in British Columbia as the panels depict a young adult Wolverine hunting a stag with a pack of wolves.

★ Ilsa Haupstein from the comic "Hellboy: Wake the Devil" by Mike Mignola recites part of the poem while kneeling by the coffin of Vladimir Giurescu in his house in Romania.

★ The titular antagonist in Thomas Harris' novel ''Red Dragon'' is obsessed with Blake and, in a reference to the poem, he takes his blind 'girlfriend' to an encounter with a tranquilised tiger. The scene appears in both film adaptations of the book, ''Manhunter'' annd ''Red Dragon''.

★ Episode 41 of the critically acclaimed is named Tyger, Tyger. In the conclusion of the episode Batman is heard quoting the first two lines of the poem.

★ The poet Allen Ginsberg recorded the poem as a song on his 1975 album "First Blues" (reissued 1983).

★ It is a song title by popular English guitarist Gordon Giltrap on his album 'Visionary' in which many songs are based on the works of William Blake

★ The line "Did He who made the lamb make thee?" is a lyric in the song "Mandala" by the rock band Circa Survive.

★ Punk rock band The Johanestinescovered it on their album "Live On Your Voicmail"

★ The poem was made song by a Czechoslovak underground band The Plastic People of the Universe in the very beginning of 70's. A live record of the song was released on the CD "Muž bez uší"

★ The poem was recited in full at the end of the movie The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys by Francis at the funeral of his best friend, Tim.

★ In an episode of Danny Phantom Danny asked Mr. Lancer "In the poem, The Tyger, why did he rhyme eye with symmetry?"

See also

★ Trochee

★ The Lamb

External links

★ Sparknotes on The Tyger

★ The Tyger Bibliography