'French Revolution, The (excerpt)' by William Blake
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84Thee the ancientest peer, Duke of Burgundy, rose from the monarch's right hand, red as wines
85From his mountains; an odor of war, like a ripe vineyard, rose from his garments,
86And the chamber became as a clouded sky; o'er the council he stretch'd his red limbs,
87Cloth'd in flames of crimson; as a ripe vineyard stretches over sheaves of corn,
88The fierce Duke hung over the council; around him crowd, weeping in his burning robe,
89A bright cloud of infant souls; his words fall like purple autumn on the sheaves:
90"Shall this marble built heaven become a clay cottage, this earth an oak stool and these mowers
91From the Atlantic mountains mow down all this great starry harvest of six thousand years?
92And shall Necker, the hind of Geneva, stretch out his crook'd sickle o'er fertile France
93Till our purple and crimson is faded to russet, and the kingdoms of earth bound in sheaves,
94And the ancient forests of chivalry hewn, and the joys of the combat burnt for fuel;
95Till the power and dominion is rent from the pole, sword and sceptre from sun and moon,
96The law and gospel from fire and air, and eternal reason and science
97From the deep and the solid, and man lay his faded head down on the rock
98Of eternity, where the eternal lion and eagle remain to devour?
99This to prevent--urg'd by cries in day, and prophetic dreams hovering in night,
100To enrich the lean earth that craves, furrow'd with plows, whose seed is departing from her--
101Thy nobles have gather'd thy starry hosts round this rebellious city,
102To rouze up the ancient forests of Europe, with clarions of cloud breathing war,
103To hear the horse neigh to the drum and trumpet, and the trumpet and war shout reply.
104Stretch the hand that beckons the eagles of heaven; they cry over Paris, and wait
105Till Fayette point his finger to Versailles; the eagles of heaven must have their prey!"
106He ceas'd, and burn'd silent; red clouds roll round Necker; a weeping is heard o'er the palace.
107Like a dark cloud Necker paus'd, and like thunder on the just man's burial day he paus'd;
108Silent sit the winds, silent the meadows, while the husbandman and woman of weakness
109And bright children look after him into the grave, and water his clay with love,
110Then turn towards pensive fields; so Necker paus'd, and his visage was covered with clouds.
111The King lean'd on his mountains, then lifted his head and look'd on his armies, that shone
112Through heaven, tinging morning with beams of blood; then turning to Burgundy, troubled:
113"Burgundy, thou wast born a lion! My soul is o'ergrown with distress.
114For the nobles of France, and dark mists roll round me and blot the writing of God
115Written in my bosom. Necker rise! leave the kingdom, thy life is surrounded with snares.
116We have call'd an Assembly, but not to destroy; we have given gifts, not to the weak;
117I hear rushing of muskets, and bright'ning of swords, and visages redd'ning with war,
118Frowning and looking up from brooding villages and every dark'ning city.
119Ancient wonders frown over the kingdom, and cries of women and babes are heard,
120And tempests of doubt roll around me, and fierce sorrows, because of the nobles of France.
121Depart! answer not! for the tempest must fall, as in years that are passed away."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Revolutionizing Poetry: An Analysis of William Blake’s “The French Revolution”
As one of the most influential poets of his time, William Blake’s works have been the subject of many literary analyses. His poem “The French Revolution” is no exception. A work that explores the themes of revolution, liberty, and social inequality, it remains a classic in English literature. In this paper, I aim to provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this poem, delving into its structure, language, and themes.
Context and Background
Before we dive into the poem, it is important to understand the context and background that inspired Blake to write “The French Revolution.” The poem was written in the late 18th century, during a time of great political and social upheaval in Europe. The French Revolution had just begun, and its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity were spreading throughout the continent. Blake, a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, was deeply moved by these events.
At the same time, Blake was also critical of the Enlightenment thought that had inspired the French Revolution. He believed that the focus on reason and rationality had led to a neglect of the spiritual and emotional aspects of human experience. In “The French Revolution,” Blake explores these themes of political revolution and spiritual renewal.
Structure and Form
One of the most striking aspects of “The French Revolution” is its structure and form. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each containing six lines. The lines are written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. This gives the poem a musical quality, with a rhythm that echoes the revolutionary spirit it celebrates.
The use of this form is significant because it highlights Blake’s belief in the power of poetry to effect change. By using a structured and musical form, Blake is able to convey his message in a way that is both powerful and memorable. The poem is easy to recite and remember, allowing it to spread and influence others.
Language and Imagery
Another notable aspect of “The French Revolution” is its use of language and imagery. Blake’s language is both poetic and political, using vivid and powerful imagery to convey his message. He frequently employs metaphors and personification to give life to abstract concepts, such as liberty and equality.
One of the most powerful metaphors in the poem is the image of the “Tree of Liberty.” This metaphor represents the ideals of the French Revolution, which are rooted in the belief that all people should be free and equal. Blake describes this tree as “growing fair and free,” suggesting that these ideals are taking root and flourishing.
Blake also uses powerful imagery to convey the violence and bloodshed of the revolution. He describes the “guillotine’s dread laugh” and the “smiling fiends” that revel in the destruction and chaos of the revolution. This imagery serves to highlight the cost of revolution, reminding us that change often comes at a great price.
Themes
The themes of “The French Revolution” are many and complex. At its core, the poem is about the struggle for liberty and equality, both in the political sphere and the spiritual realm. Blake believed that true liberation could only be achieved when both aspects were addressed.
The poem also explores the themes of violence and destruction. While Blake celebrates the ideals of the French Revolution, he also acknowledges the cost of revolutionary change. The violence and bloodshed of the revolution are not glorified, but rather portrayed as a necessary evil.
Blake also touches on the theme of spiritual renewal. He believed that the revolution was not just a political event, but also a spiritual one. He saw the French Revolution as a chance for humanity to be reborn, to cast off the chains of oppression and embrace a new era of freedom and creativity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Blake’s “The French Revolution” is a powerful and complex poem that explores the themes of revolution, liberty, and social inequality. Through its structure, language, and imagery, the poem celebrates the ideals of the French Revolution while acknowledging the cost of revolutionary change. Blake’s belief in the power of poetry to effect change is evident throughout the poem, and his use of vivid and powerful imagery makes it a timeless work of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The French Revolution was a time of great upheaval and change, and it inspired many artists and writers to create works that captured the spirit of the times. One such work is William Blake's "The French Revolution," an excerpt from his longer poem "America: A Prophecy." In this powerful and evocative piece, Blake explores the themes of revolution, freedom, and the struggle for justice.
At its core, "The French Revolution" is a celebration of the power of the people to rise up and overthrow their oppressors. Blake begins the poem by describing the "dark Satanic mills" that have enslaved the people, grinding them down with their endless toil. But then he introduces a new force into the equation: the "Spectre" of revolution, which rises up from the people themselves and begins to tear down the old order.
The Spectre is a powerful and mysterious figure, embodying the energy and passion of the revolution. Blake describes it as a "fiery cloud" that sweeps across the land, inspiring the people to rise up and fight for their freedom. The Spectre is not a physical force, but a spiritual one, representing the collective will of the people to throw off their chains and claim their rights.
As the Spectre spreads its influence, Blake describes the chaos and violence that erupts in its wake. The "stars of heaven" are shaken, and the "pillars of the earth" tremble as the old order is overturned. But Blake does not shy away from the darker aspects of revolution, either. He acknowledges that there will be bloodshed and suffering, as the people fight to overthrow their oppressors.
Despite this, Blake remains optimistic about the ultimate outcome of the revolution. He sees it as a necessary step in the evolution of society, a way to break free from the chains of the past and create a new, more just world. He writes:
"Then the Prophets of the Dead / In Visionary Numbers / Beheld the Light of Freedom / Blazing in the Northern Sky"
This vision of freedom and justice is a powerful one, and it inspires Blake to write some of his most stirring and evocative lines. He describes the people rising up like "a mighty wind" and tearing down the old order, creating a new world in which "every face / Became a blackening visage of despair."
But even as he celebrates the power of the people to rise up and overthrow their oppressors, Blake is also aware of the dangers of revolution. He recognizes that there will be those who seek to use the chaos and violence of the revolution for their own ends, and he warns against the dangers of tyranny and oppression.
In one of the most powerful passages of the poem, Blake writes:
"Then the Priests in black gowns / Were walking their rounds / And binding with briars / My joys and desires."
This image of the priests binding the people with briars is a powerful one, representing the ways in which the old order seeks to maintain its power even in the face of revolution. But Blake is not content to simply condemn the priests and their allies. He recognizes that there are those who will seek to use the chaos of the revolution to seize power for themselves, and he warns against the dangers of tyranny and oppression.
Despite these warnings, however, Blake remains optimistic about the ultimate outcome of the revolution. He sees it as a necessary step in the evolution of society, a way to break free from the chains of the past and create a new, more just world. He writes:
"Then the Prophets of the Dead / In Visionary Numbers / Beheld the Light of Freedom / Blazing in the Northern Sky"
This vision of freedom and justice is a powerful one, and it inspires Blake to write some of his most stirring and evocative lines. He describes the people rising up like "a mighty wind" and tearing down the old order, creating a new world in which "every face / Became a blackening visage of despair."
In conclusion, "The French Revolution" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the times. Blake celebrates the power of the people to rise up and overthrow their oppressors, while also warning against the dangers of tyranny and oppression. Ultimately, however, he remains optimistic about the ultimate outcome of the revolution, seeing it as a necessary step in the evolution of society towards a more just and free world.
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