The literature at the beginning of the 19th century, reacted to the Enlightenment which emphasized reason and practical use in human abilities. The poets of the preromantic age, in reaction to the reasoning turned again to nature, senses and sentiments. These ideas preceded and supported the French revolution which was so enthusiastically accepted by many English writers.
One of the most outstanding English poets of this epoch was William Blake (1757 - 1827), who painted his visions both in words and in pictures Blake, inspired by songs for children, is mostly known for his two early collections, The Songs of Innocence and The Songs of Experience. Being also a talented painter he printed his poems as graphical sheets with his own engravings. Blake stood for his ideas all his life. He supported and the French and American revolutions what he also expressed in the poetical works The French Revolution and America.
Blake's works are deeply influenced by Shakespeare, Milton and the Bible. He created his own mysticism which changed all through his life and is therefore difficult to understand. His own view of Christianity is reflected in The Songs. In this essay I will try to look at one of his poems, The Lamb which a consider to be of great significance from different aspects: firstly I will try to place it in the context of innocence based on the collection of songs, then try to explore the religious hints in the poem and finally, since the poems in the Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience come in pairs, I cannot avoid bringing the two poems in comparison.
THE LAMB AND INNOCENCE Anyone who will not receive the .
kingdom of God like a little child will never.
enter it.
