William Blake: The Misunderstood Artist of the 19th Century

Location

CSU 255

Start Date

13-4-2004 8:45 AM

End Date

13-4-2004 10:30 AM

Student's Major

English

Student's College

Arts and Humanities

Mentor's Name

Mary Susan Johnston

Mentor's Department

English

Mentor's College

Arts and Humanities

Description

The purpose of this project is to examine the artistic vision of William Blake as well as his impact on literature. William Blake was one of the most misunderstood artists of his time, which led to a life of isolation and poverty. Determined to follow his "Divine Image," Blake remained unappreciated until his twilight years, although he was still virtually unknown except for a small group of followers. William Blake is important today because of his innovative work stemming from his frustration with standard poetic tradition and techniques. This project explores Blake's collection of poems entitled Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. The two groups of lyrics depict, as Blake stated, "the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul." Although written a few years apart, Blake intended the two volumes to be read together. Each poem from Songs of Innocence stands as an independent poem, but also has a matched counterpart, or contrary in Songs of Experience. In addition, Blake expressed many of his conceptions visually and each poem is accompanied by a design and illustration that make up an integral part of the text.

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Apr 13th, 8:45 AM Apr 13th, 10:30 AM

William Blake: The Misunderstood Artist of the 19th Century

CSU 255

The purpose of this project is to examine the artistic vision of William Blake as well as his impact on literature. William Blake was one of the most misunderstood artists of his time, which led to a life of isolation and poverty. Determined to follow his "Divine Image," Blake remained unappreciated until his twilight years, although he was still virtually unknown except for a small group of followers. William Blake is important today because of his innovative work stemming from his frustration with standard poetic tradition and techniques. This project explores Blake's collection of poems entitled Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. The two groups of lyrics depict, as Blake stated, "the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul." Although written a few years apart, Blake intended the two volumes to be read together. Each poem from Songs of Innocence stands as an independent poem, but also has a matched counterpart, or contrary in Songs of Experience. In addition, Blake expressed many of his conceptions visually and each poem is accompanied by a design and illustration that make up an integral part of the text.