'On Another's Sorrow' by William Blake
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Can I see another's woe,
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see another's grief,
And not seek for kind relief?
Can I see a falling tear,
And not feel my sorrow's share?
Can a father see his child
Weep, nor be with sorrow filled?
Can a mother sit and hear
An infant groan, an infant fear?
No, no!never can it be!
Never, never can it be!
And can He who smiles on all
Hear the wren with sorrows small,
Hear the small bird's grief and care,
Hear the woes that infants bear --
And not sit beside the next,
Pouring pity in their breast,
And not sit the cradle near,
Weeping tear on infant's tear?
And not sit both night and day,
Wiping all our tears away?
Oh no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!
He doth give his joy to all:
He becomes an infant small,
He becomes a man of woe,
He doth feel the sorrow too.
Think not thou canst sigh a sigh,
And thy Maker is not by:
Think not thou canst weep a tear,
And thy Maker is not year.
Oh He gives to us his joy,
That our grief He may destroy:
Till our grief is fled an gone
He doth sit by us and moan.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Another's Sorrow by William Blake: A Deep Dive into Empathy and Human Connection
When it comes to poetry, few poets have managed to capture the essence of human emotion quite like William Blake. Known for his distinctive style and unique perspective, Blake's work has captured the imagination of readers for generations. One of his most enduring and powerful poems is "On Another's Sorrow," a moving meditation on empathy, compassion, and the bonds that connect us all as human beings. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes and imagery of this timeless poem, and examine what it tells us about the nature of human connection.
Context and Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to consider the context in which it was written. Blake was a writer and artist living in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time of great social upheaval and political change. His work reflected his deep concerns about the state of society, particularly the mistreatment of the poor and vulnerable.
At the same time, Blake was deeply spiritual, and much of his poetry reflects his belief in the interconnectedness of all things, and the importance of empathy and compassion in our relationships with others. "On Another's Sorrow" is a perfect example of this, as it explores the idea that we are all connected, and that our ability to feel for others is what makes us truly human.
Analysis
The poem begins with the following lines:
"Can I see another's woe,
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see another's grief,
And not seek for kind relief?"
These opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, posing a series of rhetorical questions that challenge the reader to consider their own capacity for empathy and compassion. The repetition of the word "another" serves to underscore the idea that we are all connected, and that the suffering of one is the suffering of all.
The next stanza continues this theme:
"Can I see a falling tear,
And not feel my sorrow's share?
Can a father see his child
Weep, nor be with sorrow filled?"
Again, the emphasis is on the interconnectedness of all things. The image of a father seeing his child weep is particularly potent, as it speaks to the powerful bond between parent and child, and the depth of feeling that comes with it.
The third stanza shifts the focus slightly, exploring the idea that our ability to empathize with others is what makes us truly human:
"Can a mother sit and hear
An infant groan, an infant fear?
No, no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!"
Here, we see Blake's belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. He suggests that our ability to feel for others, particularly the most vulnerable among us, is what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with a powerful image of human connection:
"And can He who smiles on all
Hear the wren with sorrows small,
Hear the small bird's grief and care,
Hear the woes that infants bear—
And not sit beside the next,
Pouring pity in their breast,
And not sit the cradle near,
Weeping tear on infant's tear?"
This stanza brings together the various themes of the poem, suggesting that even God himself feels empathy for all creatures, and that we as humans must strive to do the same. The image of God sitting beside a weeping child, pouring pity into their breast, is particularly moving, and speaks to the idea that our capacity for empathy and compassion is truly divine.
Interpretation
So, what can we take away from "On Another's Sorrow?" At its core, this poem is a meditation on the nature of human connection, and the importance of empathy and compassion in our relationships with others. Blake suggests that our ability to feel for others, particularly those who are suffering, is what makes us truly human, and that we must strive to cultivate this capacity in ourselves.
Moreover, the poem speaks to the idea that we are all connected, and that the suffering of one is the suffering of all. This message is particularly resonant in our current moment, as we face a global pandemic that has laid bare the inequalities and injustices of our society. In times like these, it's more important than ever that we remember our shared humanity, and work to support one another in whatever way we can.
Ultimately, "On Another's Sorrow" is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and human connection. Through its vivid imagery and poetic language, Blake encourages us to look beyond ourselves and to see the suffering of others, and to act with kindness and compassion in response. It's a message that's as relevant today as it was when Blake first put pen to paper, and one that we would all do well to remember.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry On Another's Sorrow: A Masterpiece of Empathy and Compassion
William Blake, the renowned English poet and artist, is known for his visionary and mystical works that explore the complexities of human experience and spirituality. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry On Another's Sorrow stands out as a powerful and poignant expression of empathy and compassion. In this 16-line poem, Blake captures the essence of human suffering and the transformative power of art and imagination.
The poem begins with a simple yet profound statement: "Can I see another's woe, and not be in sorrow too?" This rhetorical question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Blake invites the reader to share in the pain and suffering of others. He suggests that true empathy requires not only the ability to recognize and acknowledge the suffering of others but also the willingness to feel it deeply and personally.
The second line of the poem reinforces this idea by asking, "Can I see another's grief, and not seek for kind relief?" Here, Blake emphasizes the importance of compassion and action in response to the suffering of others. He suggests that empathy alone is not enough; we must also be motivated to alleviate the pain and offer comfort and support.
The third and fourth lines of the poem introduce the central metaphor of the poem: "Can I see a falling tear, and not feel my sorrow's share?" Here, Blake compares the tears of another to his own sorrow, suggesting that the pain of others is not separate from our own. He implies that we are all connected in our humanity and that the suffering of one affects us all.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem continue the metaphor, as Blake asks, "Can a father see his child weep, / And not be with sorrow deep?" Here, he invokes the powerful bond between parent and child, suggesting that the pain of a loved one is especially poignant and difficult to bear. He implies that the empathy and compassion we feel for those closest to us should extend to all people, regardless of their relationship to us.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem introduce the idea of poetry as a means of transcending suffering: "Can a mother sit and hear her infant's moan, / And not sit and hear her own?" Here, Blake suggests that poetry has the power to connect us to the pain and suffering of others in a profound and transformative way. He implies that through the act of writing and reading poetry, we can enter into the experience of another and feel their pain as our own.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem reinforce this idea, as Blake asks, "Can the human heart refrain / From partaking in its pain?" Here, he suggests that the human heart is naturally inclined to feel the pain of others and that poetry is a way of tapping into this innate empathy and compassion.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem introduce the idea of imagination as a means of transcending suffering: "No, no! never can it be! / Mor e than all, the heart must feel." Here, Blake suggests that the imagination is a powerful tool for empathizing with others and that it can help us to transcend our own pain and suffering. He implies that through the act of imagining ourselves in the place of another, we can expand our capacity for empathy and compassion.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem reinforce this idea, as Blake asks, "For, into our own heart's deeps, / Weepeth every human heart that sleeps." Here, he suggests that the pain and suffering of others is not separate from our own and that we all share a common humanity. He implies that by tapping into the depths of our own hearts, we can connect with the pain and suffering of others and offer them comfort and support.
The final two lines of the poem offer a powerful conclusion: "And, if we see that they are not, / Then we cannot see for tears are not." Here, Blake suggests that if we are unable to feel the pain and suffering of others, it is because we are blinded by our own tears. He implies that true empathy and compassion require us to overcome our own pain and suffering and to open ourselves up to the pain and suffering of others.
In conclusion, Poetry On Another's Sorrow is a masterpiece of empathy and compassion that speaks to the universal human experience of pain and suffering. Through the use of powerful metaphors and imagery, William Blake invites the reader to share in the pain and suffering of others and to recognize the transformative power of art and imagination. He suggests that true empathy and compassion require us to feel the pain of others deeply and personally and to take action to alleviate their suffering. Ultimately, he implies that by connecting with the pain and suffering of others, we can transcend our own pain and suffering and offer comfort and support to those in need.
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