Blake: Songs of Innocence: The Divine Image: Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary of introduction?
In this poem, Blake presents Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love as divine qualities reflected in humanity.
The poem highlights the connection between these virtues and the divine nature, suggesting that all people embody these qualities and are a reflection of God’s goodness.
Quotes:
Key Quotes in Introduction (CLUE: There are 3)
‘All prayer in their distress (…) return their thankfulness’ - suggesting that prayer that prayer is a unifying force in distress, when you do things for others for no reward your gain is heaven.
Love the human form divine - we all pray for love. Love is the most important. God is the best part of us as he is love. His son died on the cross for our sins. Truest form of love. Sacrificial. He didn’t gain anything. By loving others we become ore like him.
In heathen, Turk and Jew - God is bigger than all of these things. Denominational religion is just a human construct - links to the Good Sanitarian story. Doesn’t matter what you are. Be kind.
Form and Structure:
What is the form/structure like?
The Divine Image from Songs of Innocence is structured in four stanzas with a regular AABB rhyme scheme.
The repetition of virtues like Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love highlights their divine nature and the connection between humanity and God.
The simple, rhythmic structure reflects the purity of the poem’s message.
Themes:
Key themes e.g. spiritual equality
By presenting these virtues as equally present in all humans, the poem suggests a spiritual equality where everyone has the potential for divine goodness.
Themes:
Key themes e.g. compassion
The poem suggests that compassion and kindness are universal qualities that transcend individual differences and are part of a shared divine nature in all people.
Context:
What is the context of Blake?
The poem reflects William Blake’s belief in the divine qualities inherent in all humans.
Written during a time of social and political change, the poem challenges traditional religious views and promotes innocence, compassion, and spiritual equality, emphasising the connection between humanity and the divine.
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could it link to?
The Tyger (from Songs of Experience): Contrasts with The Divine Image by exploring the darker side of creation and the complexities of divinity.
The Human Abstract (from Songs of Experience): Critiques the distortion of divine qualities in human experience, offering a more cynical view of human nature.
