William Blake: Journal of Genius

William Blake is a hard man to define and comprehend. He needs
understanding, imagination, and a background of mythologies. A reader of
his work would be lost if s/he doesn’t have any of the proceeding criteria.
After taking a few Humanities courses and more literature classes, I feel
that I’ve gained a better understanding of his work as a whole. I can
ascertain references to Greek society and to Christian beliefs.

The comparison of the engravings to the printed word helps develop a greater
knowledge of the implications and points Blake tried to make. He appears to
be paradoxical, but with any paradox a form of value emerges. With Blake,
he shakes the foundation of routine and habits to reveal a different
perspective or idea. All the poetry we have explored has delved into
different regions of thought and thought-provoking ideas. Blake does not
remain passive or idealistic in his writings, but uses them to exemplify the
problems and to question the solutions. He remains strong to his
conscience, because it would never be betrayed like Swedenborg or others.
His works survive, because we need his critical thinking in modern times.
We have much to learn about him and his writings. Without it, we would
remain "innocent".

In my own engraving, I sought for it to be personal like Blake's works were.
The tree(I think very Blakean, because of the twisted branches and the
hidden roots beneath)was representative of the dual reality of Blake, the
roots (unseen) and the leaves (seen). Urizen is a figure of great strength,
but he is hindered by it. The tower that encloses him is symbolic of that
strength. (I had wanted to have beams of light emitting from the top, but
my artistic talent wouldn't allow.) The poem is an inspiration by Blake.