William Blake lived and created in a time of tremendous upheaval, both politically and religiously, and in the arena of religion Emanuel Swedenborg was a key figure. He influenced many of the artists and poets of the next century, including William Blake.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
William Blake and The Great Divorce
Mystic, poet, genius, madman, heretic, tortured soul, prophet, romantic, artist--all these labels have been aptly applied to William Blake. It is impossible to pick the best descriptor because they all fit to one degree or another.
What was his relationship to TGD? As CSL states in his Preface, the book was a direct response to one of Blake's most famous and controversial works, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. The meaning of this enigmatic work is debated even now, two centuries later, and will likely be debated two centuries from now. Was it satire, sarcasm, heresy, or some mystic insight into ultimate truth? Opinions span the gamut, but there are distinct themes that have a direct bearing on TGD. One of these is that Good is stagnant without the "energies" of change, rebellious spirit, and evil forces.
What was his relationship to TGD? As CSL states in his Preface, the book was a direct response to one of Blake's most famous and controversial works, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. The meaning of this enigmatic work is debated even now, two centuries later, and will likely be debated two centuries from now. Was it satire, sarcasm, heresy, or some mystic insight into ultimate truth? Opinions span the gamut, but there are distinct themes that have a direct bearing on TGD. One of these is that Good is stagnant without the "energies" of change, rebellious spirit, and evil forces.
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