14. ‘The Tyger’ by William Blake
Bio of the Poet
- William Blake (1757–1827): Visionary poet and artist; part of the Romantic movement.
- He often explored innocence vs. experience, God, creation, and good vs. evil.
- This poem is from Songs of Experience.
Detailed Summary
- The speaker addresses a fearsome tiger, wondering who could have created such a powerful and terrifying creature.
- He contrasts the tiger with the lamb (from Songs of Innocence), asking how the same creator could make both.
- He speculates on the tiger’s origin: forged in fire, shaped by a divine or demonic hand?
- The poem ends by questioning whether the same God who made the lamb also made the tiger.
Main Themes
- Creation and the Divine
- Good vs. Evil
- Power and Fear
- Mystery of Existence
Literary Analysis
- Form: Rhymed quatrains (AABB), rhythmic like a chant or hymn.
- Tone: Awe-struck, questioning, mystical.
- Language:
- Repetition: “Tyger Tyger, burning bright” – fiery, intense.
- Alliteration: “burning bright”, “dare frame thy fearful symmetry”.
- Repetition: “Tyger Tyger, burning bright” – fiery, intense.
- Imagery: Fire, blacksmithing—creation as something violent and industrial.
- Symbolism: The tiger as a metaphor for dangerous beauty and divine mystery.
Main Message
- The poem explores the paradox of a God who creates both beauty and terror.
- It suggests that creation is complex and that evil may be part of divine design.
Expected Exam Questions
- How does Blake use imagery to present the tiger in the poem?
- Explore the theme of creation in ‘The Tyger’.
- How does the poet use contrast to express his ideas?
- Compare this poem’s treatment of power with another poem you have studied.