The Tyger

Question 1

‘Tyger Tyger’

Answer 1

Alliteration making it sound similar to a nursery rhyme which is deceptive as the content of the poems is complex

Question 2

‘night’

Answer 2

Imagery of the night creates a mysterious environment which reflects the mystery around God that Blake feels

Question 3

‘fearful symmetry?’

Answer 3

Juxtaposing between danger and beauty implies a skilled creates and the caesura presents Blake’s intrigue in that creator

Question 4

‘What the hand, dare seize the fire’

Answer 4

Imagery or fire mirrors the flame-like colours of a tiger and creates the image of a daring God who ‘plays with fire’

Question 5

‘dread’

Answer 5

Repetition emphasises uncertainty and implies that God might fear what he has created

Question 6

‘hammer’ ‘chain’ ‘furnace’ ‘anvil’

Answer 6

Metaphor for God being a blacksmith which presents him as a creator and questions why God would want to create something that was capable of violence and that is potentially a threat to other life, if he is able to create anything.

Question 7

‘stars throw down their spears’

Answer 7

Metaphor for angels and could suggest they protested Gods creation

Question 8

‘Did he who make the Lamb make thee?’

Answer 8

Noun explores the duality of God and Blake’s uncertainty and questioning whether he is good or evil. Also explores how a God who make an animal as harmless as a lamb would choose to create a animal so deadly as a tiger