William_Blake1.ppt

William Blake(1757 - 1827) English poet, artist and mystic Contents Biography Point of view Florilegium of poetry Florilegium of painting My own view about William Black (Main Idea) Writing features Representational poetry Picture feeling Time background * * William Blake’s portrait William Blake Born in London on 28 November 1757. He was educated at Henry Pars Drawing School. After becoming established as a graphic designer and drawing tutor, he opened a print shop in London in 1784. He lived in Sussex from 1800 to 1803, during which time he was charged with high treason but acquitted. He returned to London and staged a rather unsuccessful show of his artistic work in 1809, after which he went into obscurity and became a mystic. As a supporter of the French Revolution, he openly criticized the social evils that he linked with the Industrial Revolution. His work is usually seen in the context of his social, political and religious beliefs. He was not really understood by his peers, but twentieth-century readers appreciate the greatness he achieved in his varied fields of interest. Politically Black was a rebel, making friends with those radicals. He strongly criticized the capitalist cruel exploitation. He cherished great expectations and enthusiasm for the French Revolution. He once said the dark satanic mills left men employed , killed children and forced prostitution. Literarily Black was the first important romantic poet, showing contempt for the rule of reason, opposite the classical tradition of the 18th century, and treasuring the individuals imagination. Back Writing features Blake’s poems seem easy but difficult to understand for his mysterious images and symbols, unless versed in ( skilled at ) religious knowledge. Blake’s poems are full of emotion and apparent presentation of his progressive democratic idea in symbolism. He presents his view in visual images rather that abstract ideas. And his poetry was full of colors, just like sky and