The Voice of the Ancient Bard

Introduction

Timeline

Images

Author(s)

Blake, William

William Blake: biographical background

The context of Songs of Innocence and Experience

Social / political context
- The spirit of rebellion - politics
- The spirit of rebellion - society
Religious / philosophical context
Literary context

Synopses and commentary

Textual history
Songs of Innocence
- Introduction (I)
- The Shepherd
- The Ecchoing Green
- The Lamb
- The little black boy
- The Blossom
- The chimney sweeper (I)
- The little boy lost (I)
- The Little Boy Found
- Laughing song
- A Cradle Song
- The Divine Image
- Holy Thursday (I)
- Night
- Spring
- Nurse's Song (I)
- Infant Joy
- A Dream
- On Another's Sorrow
Songs of Experience
- Introduction (E)
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- Earth's Answer
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Clod and the Pebble
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- Holy Thursday (E)
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Little Girl Lost
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Little Girl Found
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Chimney Sweeper (E)
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- Nurse's Song (E)
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Sick Rose
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Fly
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Angel
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Tyger
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- My Pretty Rose-tree
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- Ah! Sun-flower
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Lilly
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Garden of Love
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Little Vagabond
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- London
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Human Abstract
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- Infant Sorrow
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- A Poison Tree
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- A Little Boy Lost (E)
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- A Little Girl Lost
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- To Tirzah
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Schoolboy
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- The Voice of the Ancient Bard
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes
- A Divine Image
  - Synopsis and commentary
  - Language, tone and structure
  - Imagery, symbolism and themes

Themes and significant ideas

Critical approaches to Songs of Innocence and Experience

Approaching exams and essays

Resources and further reading

Worksheet downloads

Songs of Innocence and Experience Contents

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