Do you ever feel a sense of melancholy when a cherished place undergoes an unexpected transformation? If this resonates with you, then you will find a kindred spirit in William Blake's romantic poem, 'The Garden of Love'. While the poem may initially seem simplistic, a deeper analysis uncovers the complex emotions of the poet towards love and religion.
To fully appreciate the context of the poem, it is important to understand the background of the poet, William Blake. As a British poet and visual artist of the Romantic era in the 18th century, Blake's most notable work, Songs of Innocence and Experience, was published as a complete volume in 1794, with 'The Garden of Love' being a part of the Songs of Experience section.
When examining the context of a literary piece, it is essential to consider various factors. For William Blake and 'The Garden of Love', relevant questions to contemplate include: What was the poet's social status, political views, and religious beliefs? What was the overall national and societal climate during the creation of the poem? What kind of life did the poet lead, and what was their family background? Was there a specific audience in mind when composing the poem?
Known for his deep spiritualism, Blake often infused his works with prophetic elements. Despite this, his poems were written in a straightforward and accessible language as he believed that poetry should be enjoyed and understood by all. However, his unconventional beliefs and rebellion against societal norms led him to be labeled as 'insane' by his peers. He lived in poverty and was not recognized as a successful poet during his lifetime. However, Blake is now hailed as one of Britain's greatest artists, making significant contributions to the romantic poetry genre.
During the time of its creation, England was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile, the Church of England was fighting to maintain its relevance in a rapidly evolving society. As a staunch advocate for nonconformity and a critic of organized religion, Blake condemned both the Church and the strict societal norms imposed by those in power. He also saw the industrialization as a form of enslavement and a threat to humanity.
Although initially overlooked, Blake is now recognized as an influential figure in the Romantic movement. This literary movement celebrated individualism, emotions, imagination, and the supernatural. Romantic poets often incorporated sentimentalism into their works and explored themes of spirituality, mysticism, and liberty. As evident in 'The Garden of Love', these elements are prominent in Blake's poetry.
Furthermore, Blake's poems often revolved around abstract concepts that were in opposition, such as love vs hate, freedom vs imprisonment, childhood vs adulthood, and innocence vs experience. His religious beliefs also played a significant role, with Blake rejecting organized religion and embracing spirituality. This contrast between liberation and oppression, conformity and freedom, can also be observed in 'The Garden of Love'.
Additionally, biblical themes and imagery frequently appeared in Blake's poetry. In 'The Garden of Love', the garden symbolizes the Biblical Garden of Eden, from which Adam and Eve were expelled. As a part of the Songs of Experience collection, the poem delves into the darker aspects of knowledge, fear, and oppression, much like the story of Adam and Eve's fall. This fusion of spiritual mysticism, symbolism, and religious themes is a defining characteristic of Blake's poetry.
Interestingly, the Tate organization, which exhibits Blake's artwork, suggests that the poem may have been a response to the construction of a new chapel near his home in Lambeth.
According to the Tate organisation website, the chapel in William Blake's poem 'The Garden of Love' was funded by the local community. However, Blake was troubled by the exclusion of those who couldn't afford to pay, from a garden that represented Christianity. (Tate, 2014)1
'The Garden of Love' is a part of Blake's collection of poems called 'Songs of Experience'. In this poem, the speaker revisits a familiar place, only to find it completely transformed. The once open and peaceful garden is now dominated by a chapel. As the speaker takes in the changes, they notice the presence of priests in black robes, who symbolize the suppression of their joys and desires.
The structure of 'The Garden of Love' is simple yet inconsistent. It consists of 12 lines divided into three quatrains, each with a rhyme scheme of ABCB. This well-structured form is reflected in the poem's concise and precise language. The first stanza sets the premise for the poem, with the second and third elaborating on the changes observed by the speaker. The final stanza, with its strong momentum, conveys the speaker's acceptance of the unwanted changes.
The use of past tense and words with rhyming endings in the first stanza creates a sense of nostalgia as the speaker remembers the garden's former beauty. In the second stanza, the words 'bore' and 'door' not only rhyme but also carry a dual meaning, representing both the act of bearing and the feeling of boredom. This consistent rhyme scheme adds to the overall impact of the poem.
In William Blake's 'The Garden of Love', a speaker reflects on the changes that have occurred in a garden they used to know. As they stand before a new chapel, they lament the loss of the open space and flowers that once brought them joy. The locked door of the chapel signifies a force that either welcomes or restricts the speaker.
The poem's structure and form convey the speaker's emotions, from nostalgia and frustration to resignation and acceptance. The use of rhyme and meter adds to the overall impact of the poem, with the final stanza reflecting the transformation of the speaker.
An iamb is a metric foot consisting of two syllables with the first being unstressed and the second being stressed, as in 'destroy' or 'belong'. An anapest, on the other hand, contains three syllables with the first two being unstressed and the third being stressed, as in 'understand' or 'contradict'.
In 'The Garden of Love', certain lines contain both an iamb and an anapest, such as 'A Chapel was built in the midst, Where I used to play on the green. So I turn'd to the Garden of Love, That so many sweet flowers bore.'
In this poem, William Blake effectively conveys the speaker's emotions through the use of imagery and poetic devices. The title evokes a peaceful garden, but as the poem progresses, two gardens emerge. One represents the speaker's memory of a vast, green space filled with flowers, while the other is a dark and oppressive place, with a chapel and gravestones, and sinister priests in black robes.
The descriptions of both gardens evoke two emotions in the speaker: nostalgia and dread. The memory of playing on the green and the sweet flowers elicits a sense of longing and melancholy. Meanwhile, the sinister imagery of the present garden reflects the speaker's frustration and helplessness.
In 'The Garden of Love' by William Blake, the ominous chapel and menacing priests create a feeling of fear and entrapment, reflecting the speaker's nostalgic and critical mood. The imagery used in the poem signifies the changes in the garden, symbolizing the speaker's resignation to the control of organized religion represented by the chapel and priests.
The chapel depicted in the poem can be interpreted as a symbol of organized religion, particularly the Church of England, which Blake openly criticized. The priests, representing the religious establishment, are portrayed as the ones responsible for robbing the speaker of their joy, further emphasizing Blake's disdain for the clergy and their teachings.
The poem presents a vision of an 'ideal' society, characterized by freedom, joy and love, much like the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve lived in harmony until their banishment. The use of assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, creates a dreamy and reflective tone when the poem is read aloud. Assonance can be seen in various instances, such as the use of 'briars' and 'desires' in line 12, emphasizing the introspective reflection of the speaker.
Another rhetorical device used in the poem is polysyndeton, the repeated use of coordinating conjunctions. The final stanza's use of this technique with the repetition of 'and' highlights the overwhelming emotions of the speaker as they realize their joys and desires have been restricted. This also reflects the limitations imposed on them.
The poem delves into themes of religion, love, and adulthood. Blake critiques organized religion for suppressing joy, freedom, and profound human connection. The chapel, with the phrase 'Thou shalt not' on its door, symbolizes the restrictive nature of religion. The title, 'The Garden of Love,' portrays a sense of belonging and community that is hindered by the erection of the chapel, replacing 'sweet flowers' with tombstones. This contrast highlights how religion can corrupt the message of love it is meant to spread.
The poem also reflects on the loss of innocence and the impact of adulthood on individuals. The garden, once a place of joy for both children and adults, has now transformed into a somber and restrictive environment. This change symbolizes the speaker's loss of innocence and their restrictions in the adult world.
In both versions of 'The Garden of Love,' the themes of religion, love, and adulthood are portrayed differently. The changes in the garden, such as the erection of the chapel and replacement of flowers with tombstones, represent the restrictive and corrupt nature of organized religion. The contrast between the past and present garden also signifies the loss of innocence and the limitations of adulthood.
Published in 1794 as part of Blake's collection, Songs of Innocence and Experience, 'The Garden of Love' is a powerful critique of organized religion. Through the effective use of rhetorical devices and portrayal of the two gardens, Blake conveys his message and societal critique. The poem serves as a metaphor for the restrictions imposed by religious establishments, effectively portraying the limitations experienced by humanity.
The structure of William Blake's poem 'The Garden of Love' contains alternating meters of iamb and anapest, creating an irregular and jarring effect that reflects the poem's theme of love hindered by religion.
The central message of the poem aligns with Blake's belief that religion should inspire unconditional love. However, he also highlights how organized religion can impede the natural flourishing of love. This is exemplified through the imagery of a garden, traditionally seen as a place of love and freedom.
By referring to the place as a 'Garden of Love', Blake further emphasizes the idea of love being stifled by institutionalized religion. This symbol also draws a parallel to the biblical Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were exiled for defying the restrictions imposed by a higher authority.
The poem utilizes a metaphor to convey the garden as an ideal society, where love, joy, and freedom thrive. This reinforces the message that organized religion limits the potential of humanity and restricts the natural expression of love.
William Blake's 'The Garden of Love' is a thought-provoking poem that reflects on the constraints imposed by religion on mankind. Through its use of metaphors and symbolism, it conveys a powerful message of longing for a society in which love can truly flourish without limitations. It serves as a reminder to question the influence of religion on our lives and to strive for a world where love knows no bounds.
