william blake context

early home life

• william blake was born November 17__ in london to what type of household?

• instead, they were part of a more r___ Christian tradition (possibly the M____) that encouraged what

• → this is reflected in his poetry as:

• the B___ was central in his upbringing, shaping how he imagined the world and inspiring the strong r___ themes, symbols,

• • rejecting what organisation- he critiques o____ r____ and exposes s____ c____

early home life

• william blake was born November 1757 in london to a liberal dissenting household that rejected the Church of England

• instead, they were part of a more radical Christian tradition (possibly the Moravians) that encouraged free thinking and personal faith.

• → this is reflected in his poetry as:

• the Bible was central in his upbringing, shaping how he imagined the world and inspiring the strong religious themes, symbols,

• • rejecting church of england - he critiques organised religion and exposes social corruption

education 

• how did blake go through education? encourages by his f___

• he developed a lifelong distrust of what?, which shaped his r___, q____ outlook.

education 

• blake was largely self-educated and homeschooled, encourages by his father

• he developed a lifelong distrust of authority and conformity, which shaped his radical, questioning outlook.

career

• William Blake began his career as an engraver - what is this ?

• what exposed him to gothic architecture? and influenced his fascination with the m____, s____, and d___ imagery that appears throughout his work

career

• William Blake began his career as an engraver, a skilled craftsman who carves designs into things like tombs 

• during his apprenticeship at Westminster Abbey, he worked on tombs and effigies, which exposed him to gothic architecture and influenced his fascination with the mystical, spiritual, and dramatic imagery that appears throughout his work

marriage 

• Blake married C____ B___ in 17___, who was illiterate but became his lifelong collaborator after he trained her as an e^0____-  what does this show about Blake’s beliefs?

•  in the relationship, he suggested a concubine, what is this ? what was his wife’s reaction to this suggestion?

• Blake's suggestion of a concubine reflects u____ and morally challenging ideas about l___ and d___, which links to T___ S___ R___ theme of hidden c___ and d___ forces within i___ relationships

marriage

• Blake married Catherine Boucher in 1782, who was illiterate but became his lifelong collaborator after he trained her as an engraver-  showing his belief that skills and education could empower those of disadvantaged backgrounds, reflecting his sympathy for the poor.

•  in the relationship, he suggested a concubine, a secondary partner who would live with him but not have the same status as a wife but to satisfy sexual desires however Catherine was disagreed,

• Blake's suggestion of a concubine reflects unconventional and morally challenging ideas about love and desire, which links to The Sick Rose's theme of hidden corruption and destructive forces within intimate relationships

views, beliefs and religion

• Blake was strongly a___-a____ and committed to s___ e___ particularly for w___ and r___ minorities.

• He was a close friend of which feminist and illustrated her O____ S____ from R___ L___ (17__), sharing her views on s___ e____ and m___

• → Blake also rejected what?, viewing what? as a positive influence, while portraying upper-class i_____ and the C____ of E___ as c___ and e___.

views, beliefs and religion

• Blake was strongly anti-authoritarian and committed to social equality particularly for women and racial minorities.

• He was a close friend of feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and illustrated her Original Stories from Real Life (1788), sharing her views on sexual equality and marriage

• → Blake also rejected the restrictive aspects of the Old Testament God, viewing the New Testament God as a positive influence, while portraying upper-class institutions and the Church of England as corrupt and exploitative.

views, beliefs and religion

• He was influenced by Swedenborgianism, what is this and what does emphasised?

• These beliefs shaped his poetry, which often critiques what? promotes e___, explores s___ and s___ freedom, and imagines what type of world ?

views, beliefs and religion

• He was influenced by Swedenborgianism, a Christian-inspired spiritual movement that emphasized the moral responsibility of humans, the eternal nature of marriage, and the idea that life determines one's fate after death.

• These beliefs shaped his poetry, which often critiques social and religious authority, promotes equality, explores spiritual and sexual freedom, and imagines a world guided by love, morality, and imagination rather than rigid institutional rules.