The Divine Image: Themes & Linking Poems

Themes in “The Divine Image”

Humanity and Divinity

“The Divine Image” stresses the inherent godliness in humans showing that virtues such as Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love are not simply divine attributes, but human ones as well.
The poem posits the unity of the divine and the human; when people display these virtues, they become a reflection of God.
This theme of Interconnection illustrates the Romantic idea that spirituality is found in nature and humanity.

Innocence and Experience

The poem is part of the Songs of Innocence collection, depicted through the uncorrupted vision of childhood.
It presents an idealized world where mercy, pity, peace and love exist in abundance.
In a stark contrast, its counterpart in Songs of Experience, “A Divine Image,” provides a grimmer vision where these virtues are scarce or corrupted.

“A Divine Image” from Songs of Experience

This poem serves as a counterpart to “The Divine Image,” providing a contrasting portrayal of human nature dominated by Cruelty, Jealousy, Terror, and Secrecy.
The contrasting images in both poems mirror the dichotomy of Innocence and Experience, a central theme in Blake’s work.

“The Human Abstract” from Songs of Experience

This poem represents the perversion of the virtues extolled in “The Divine Image.” The virtues are abstracted into societal constructs that lead to exploitation and misery, rather than true humanistic care.
It discusses how these virtues can be distorted in a society dominated by complexity, deceit and exploitation.

“The Lamb” and “The Tyger” from Songs of Innocence and Experience respectively

Like “The Divine Image,” this pair of poems explore the duality of innocence and experience, representing the two contrary states of the human soul.
“The Lamb” describes the creature as being made by one who “calls himself a lamb”, signifying innocence and mercy, akin to the portrayal of divine human nature in “The Divine Image”.
“The Tyger”, on the other hand, delves into the fierce and fearful aspects of God’s creations, hinting at the presence of evil.
This dichotomy reflects upon the dichotomy presented in “The Divine Image” and its counterpart in Songs of Experience.

“The Poison Tree” from Songs of Experience

This poem provides a stark contrast with “The Divine Image”, illustrating the outcomes when the virtues of mercy, pity, peace, and love are absent.
It explores the theme of anger and repression, depicting a dark side of human nature contrary to the divine image.