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.
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.
