upgrade

📖british literature ii review

The lamb

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The lamb represents innocence, purity, and the divine in William Blake's poetry, particularly in his poem 'The Lamb.' This symbol is deeply connected to themes of creation and spirituality, reflecting Blake's vision of the relationship between God and humanity. The lamb serves as a metaphor for Jesus Christ, illustrating ideas of sacrifice and the nature of God as a gentle creator.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. In 'The Lamb,' the speaker poses a series of questions to the lamb, emphasizing its gentle nature and connection to God as the creator.
  2. The poem is written in a simple, childlike style, which reflects the theme of innocence and makes it accessible to readers of all ages.
  3. Blake uses repetition and rhyme in 'The Lamb' to create a musical quality that enhances its themes of joy and creation.
  4. The lamb symbolizes not only Jesus Christ but also the ideal state of innocence that Blake believes should be preserved in humanity.
  5. Blake contrasts the image of the lamb with more complex symbols in his other works, like 'The Tyger,' illustrating his belief in the existence of both innocence and experience within the world.

Review Questions

  • How does Blake use the symbol of the lamb to convey themes of innocence and creation?
    • Blake employs the lamb as a symbol of innocence and divine creation by depicting it as a gentle creature created by God. In 'The Lamb,' the speaker’s affectionate tone when addressing the lamb emphasizes its purity, highlighting how it embodies childlike wonder. Through this symbol, Blake invites readers to reflect on their own innocence and relationship with God, suggesting that understanding creation begins with recognizing its inherent beauty.
  • Discuss the relationship between 'The Lamb' and Blake's concept of contraries.
    • 'The Lamb' serves as a representation of innocence within Blake's broader exploration of contraries. While 'The Lamb' embodies purity and gentleness, other works like 'The Tyger' present darker aspects of creation. This duality showcases Blake's belief that both innocence and experience are vital components of existence. By juxtaposing these two symbols, Blake encourages readers to understand that life encompasses a range of experiences that shape humanity's understanding of God and existence.
  • Evaluate how Blake's visionary art reflects his beliefs about spirituality through the symbol of the lamb.
    • Blake's visionary art captures his profound spiritual beliefs by using the symbol of the lamb to express themes of innocence, divine creation, and the nature of God. The simplicity and beauty in 'The Lamb' resonate with his idea that true spirituality lies in recognizing one's innate goodness. By presenting this gentle creature as both a symbol of Christ and an ideal state for humanity, Blake's art prompts deep reflection on spiritual truths. The contrast he draws between innocence represented by the lamb and more complex symbols throughout his work invites readers to engage with their understanding of faith and existence.