William Blake'S Songs Of Innocence And Of Experience eBook

William Blake (17571827) is one of the most significant figures in the history of English poetry. He is also one of the most mysterious, most challenging, and most frequently misunderstood. HisSongs of Innocence and of Experience, on the surface so simple, are laden with mysteries that seem to deepen on every reading.

In this book, aimed at A Level and undergraduate students, Brendan Cooper explores the subtleties and contradictions of theSongs, avoiding formulaic readings by asking key questions about Blakes life and art. What are theSongs about? What does Blake mean by «Innocence» and «Experience»? Why are they called «Songs»? Was Blake a genius, or a madman?

This engaging and accessible introduction to Blakes work will help students to navigate its complexities and develop their own critical responses to the text.