Holy Thursday (Experience): Poet & Context
“Holy Thursday (Experience): Poet & Context
William Blake
- William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker.
- He was largely unrecognized during his lifetime but is now considered a seminal figure in the history of poetry and visual arts.
- Blake was a fierce critic of institutional structures, including the church and the monarchy, and his works often tackle themes of repression, poverty, and social injustice.
Historical Context
- “Holy Thursday” is a part of Blake’s ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’, which were originally published separately in 1789 and 1794 respectively, and then published together in 1794.
- The poems critique the harsh realities of late 18th and early 19th century England, particularly focusing on the plight of children.
Poem’s Context
- This poem presents a stark contrast to its counterpart in the ‘Songs of Innocence’, presenting a more cynical viewpoint.
- The ‘Holy Thursday’ in the ‘Songs of Experience’ gains a political edge, criticizing the established social and religions institutions of the time.
- Blake uses the image of the children from charitable schools attending a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral to highlight societal hypocrisy and indifference towards the less fortunate.
Blake’s Beliefs
- Blake’s beliefs were influenced by different spiritual and philosophical ideas, including Christian mysticism, the Enlightenment, and the Romantic movement.
- While he rejected organized religion, theistic Satanism influenced his writings. He believed religious systems that promote guilt and control limit human imagination and potential.
Influence On The Poem
- The context of Blake’s personal beliefs and the sociopolitical environment of his time heavily influence this poem.
- His critique of the Church and society is evident in the cynical tone of the verse and the implied criticism of how charity is administered.
- The circumstance of the children in this poem reflect Blake’s concerns about child labor, poverty, and institutionalized charity during the Industrial Revolution.