Poetry Friday: The Tiger by William Blake

Some poems you fall inlove with because of the beautiful and creative use of words. 

Sometimes the poem itself even loses its meaning and wholeness because of how much the audience appreciates one aspect, such as the sound of the words in this case. 

I was watching the Mentalist the other day and the first stanza of William Blakes Tiger was recited by Patrick Jane whom I think is simply drool worthy by the way. 

Anyway it somehow stuck in my mind for days and a few days later having posted it on my Facebook wall someone commented that it was their most favourite nursery rhyme. Nursery Rhyme? Imagine that. I did this poem as part of my set-work in my senior year of high school. 

But when I read it again I realised on hindsight, that it was possible for it to have evolved into a nursery rhyme because those first lines are so beautiful mysterious and catchy. But it would really be such a pity of the reader never got to appreciate the depth of meaning and craftsmanship that went into the the rest of this poem.

What are you thoughts on it?

William Blake. 1757–1827 

 

TIGER, tiger, burning bright  

In the forests of the night,  

What immortal hand or eye  

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?  

In what distant deeps or skies         5

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?  

On what wings dare he aspire?  

What the hand dare seize the fire?  

And what shoulder and what art  

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?  10

And when thy heart began to beat,  

What dread hand and what dread feet?  

What the hammer? what the chain?  

In what furnace was thy brain?  

What the anvil? What dread grasp  15

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?  

When the stars threw down their spears,  

And water'd heaven with their tears,  

Did He smile His work to see?  

Did He who made the lamb make thee?  20

Tiger, tiger, burning bright  

In the forests of the night,  

What immortal hand or eye  

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?