Blake: Songs of Innocence: The Shepherd Flashcards
Plot summary:
What is the plot summary for the poem the Shepherd?
The Shepherd portrays a simple, peaceful life, emphasising the shepherd’s care for his flock and his close connection with nature.
The poem highlights the innocence, trust, and harmony between the shepherd and his sheep, celebrating a relationship with the natural world.
Quotes:
What are they key quotes (CLUE: There are 4)
‘How sweet is the shepherd’s sweet lot’ - Repetition - sense of admiration - pastoral life - simple- untainted - Blake’s God is benevolent
‘Follow his sheep all day’ - Roles are reversed - God care’s and nurtures. God is presented as being caring and maternal.
‘Hear the lamb’s innocent call (…) hears the ewe’s tender reply’ - parents should be attentive - pure and loving
‘Know when the shepherd is nigh’ - ‘nigh’ means near. ‘When’ implies that God is not always near - leaves them to vulnerable - cruel/reality - incoming experience.
Form/Structure:
What is the form and structure?
The regularity of the poem creates a harmonious, musical quality, reinforcing the poem’s pastoral theme.
The concise form and rhythmic flow, written in trochaic tetrameter, contribute to its lyrical and accessible nature.
The simplicity of the structure mirrors the shepherd’s straightforward, tranquil life, enhancing the poem’s themes of harmony and natural beauty.
Key themes:
What are the key themes e.g. simplicity
The theme of simplicity and contentment can be found in the poem in which it is found in a rustic and natural environment where the shepherd’s experiences are portrayed as inherently positive and fulfilling.
The shepherd’s life is depicted as sweet as he follows his sheep.
Key themes:
What are the key themes e.g. nature
The themes of nature is also shown through this poem and it helps to show Blake’s connection with God. Nature is presented as a source of innocence and tenderness, reinforcing the pastoral ideal.
The shepherd listens to the sounds of his flock. This highlights the shepherd’s sensitivity to the natural world, emphasising the relationship between the shepherd and the landscape he lives in.
Key themes:
What are the key themes e.g. guardianship
The theme of guardianship can be seen through this poem in which the shepherd is portrayed as a vigilant caretaker, ensuring the well-being of his flock.
This helps to show the shepherd as being protective reinforcing the idea that the shepherd is guardian ensuring their peace and safety.
Context:
What is the context of this poem?
In The Shepherd, Blake uses the shepherd as a symbol of divine care and protection, similar to the Christian image of the “Good Shepherd” (Jesus).
The shepherd’s devotion to his flock reflects Blake’s belief in spiritual guidance and the importance of nurturing both nature and the soul.
The poem also critiques industrialisation and urbanisation, idealising the purity and simplicity of rural life as a contrast to the corruption and oppression of city life.
Other poems it could link to:
What other poems could the shepherd link to?
In Songs of Innocence, poems like The Lamb and The Divine Image align with its themes of purity, divine care, and nature,
In Songs of Experience, poems like London and The Chimney Sweeper provide a critique of the darker aspects of society, offering a contrast to the idealised pastoral world of The Shepherd.
