William Blake Group
Question:
Answers:
-
akannan Teacher
Middle SchooleNotes Editor
Posted by akannan on Thursday August 13, 2009 at 9:50 AMThe notions of purity and innocence represent the essence of Blake's fascination with the lamb. The lamb is described in the softest of images in the most literal of senses. "Softest clothing of wooly bright" and "tender voice" help create the image of the lamb as the very personification of childhood innocence and purity. The fact that the lamb's presence initiates the most basic of questions in terms of creation and existence help confirm this. The presence of the lamb allows Blake to tap into the timeless questions of origins and beauty, and the almost perfect nature of childhood innocence and query. It seems that the lamb represents a moment of time in one's life where the expression of the good, the true, and the beautiful is present. This unified version of consciousness is best featured in the closing lines where the collective "we" is used to receive the blessing of the divine powers. The lamb is the creature that initiates this projection and articulation of innocence.
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
