Tyger Tyger, burning bright, by William Blake — Analysis & Translation

Original Poem

Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies. Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire? And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? & what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain, In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp, Dare its deadly terrors clasp! When the stars threw down their spears And water‘d heaven with their tears: Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee? Tyger Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Translation (Arabic)

About the Poet

Historical Context

Literary Form

Lyric poem

When Written

1794

Background

The poem explores the duality of creation, questioning the nature of a God capable of creating both beauty and terror, symbolized by the tiger. It reflects Blake's interest in the complexity of divine creation and the coexistence of good and evil.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tyger, https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-blake/the-tyger, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43687/the-tyger

Detailed Explanation

Themes

• Creation and Destruction
• Divine Power
• Good vs Evil

Literary Devices

• Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds, e.g., 'burning bright'.
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions, e.g., 'burning bright', 'forests of the night'.
• Symbolism: The tiger as a symbol of divine creation and power.
• Rhetorical Questions: Used to provoke thought about creation and divinity.

Word Dictionary