"Three Things to Remember" William Blake A Robin Redbreast in a cage, Puts all Heaven in a rage. A skylark wounded on the wing Doth make a cherub cease to sing. He who shall hurt the little wren Shall never be beloved by men. | William Blake was an extremely prolific Englishman, being both poet, painter and printmaker during his lifetime. Extraordinarily, he was largely unrecognized during this period of his life, and the majority of the popularity of his poetry came posthumously. Despite, the several prominent figures who praised his work including Samuel Taylor, William Wordsworth and Charles Lamb Blake's work as never gained mass acclaim while author lived. However, Blake now characterizes the visual arts and literature of the romantic era, the audacity, prophetic nature and beautiful imagery of his work has lead him to become a writer capable of addressing with artistic articulation: imagination which he called “the body of God” and “human existence itself” as stated by Mona Wilson in work, The Life of William Blake(The Nonesuch Press, 1927. p. 167) as well as diverse range of subjects in compositions rich with symbolism. Blake’s blatant style and controversial opinions( as well as claims of visions) lend to the condemning of him as insane by many of his contemporaries, but following his death he was regarded highly as man of brilliant original statements and vivid creativity by many critics and increased greatly in popularity in the following decades, not to mention the allegorical depths which were often rooted in spirituality or mysticism. Though, many claim Blake’s work to be Pre-Romantic era, and his lifetime:(being born on the twenty-eighth of November in 1757, and dying at the age of 69 on twelfth of August, 1827) places him firmly before this literary era. Blake’s writing seems to be a category all it’s own and transcend the evolving traditions of Romantic writing, but leads the way in it’s reverence of nature and uniqueness of expression. Blake was such a passionate advocate of independence and freedom, that even his respect of the bible could not deter his hostility towards the Church of England and most other organized religions. A Political supporter of the ideals and ambitions of the French and American revolutionaries in his youth, a longing for abolition and autonomy gave way to a desire for tranquility and companionship when the author closely befriended political activist Thomas Paine and was influenced by the thinkings of men such as Emanuel Swedenborg. Blake has been described as a “glorious luminary”, and "a man not forestalled by predecessors, nor to be classed with contemporaries, nor to be replaced by known or readily surmisable successors" by the noted scholar and Pre-Raphaelite artist William Rossetti, as well as "far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced" by contemporary art critic Jonathan Jones, and even "what is in proportion to its merits the least read body of poetry in the English language" by scholar and anthologist, Robert D. Yet, he still to this day defies categorization for the sheer singularity of his work, taking inspiration from many sources, but the most important being inside of his own mind. William Blake was a genius with a pen and the significance of his writing to the day proves itself in such areas as his placement as the 38th greatest artist Britain has ever produced(in a BBC poll for the 100 Greatest Britons). An artist who was never discouraged by misfortune or poverty, Blake wrote to express the joy of humanity’s moral evolution and passions of the human spirit and it shows through the vivacious energy and flow of his work. |
William Blake has created an undeniably simple and yet delightful sestet, using the most elementary of rhyme schemes in combination with traditional and eloquent speech. Blake uses his charm as a classic romantic writer to create something with unique passion and quaint expression. He utilizes the plain nature of the ordered organization of his poem to draw to emphasis to its basic beauty. Contained in only six lines, “Three Things to Remember,” expresses crimes only too horrendous without the use of more modern verse forms, which might perhaps be more suited to this dark theme. Blake instead chooses flawless iambic tetrameter, using identical cadence from line to line, paired with the traditional simplicity of AA BB CC rhyme scheme or direct correspondence rhyme scheme. This completes the direct style which Blake has chosen. So as a whole the poem carries both notes of fluent complexity, old and well tested, beside a simple minded nature of the newly born and pure: the result is timeless.
William Blake’s poem underneath it’s bold yet basic appearance is dripping in allegories and references. The caged bird, a popular symbol, is utilized in this text to represent the English poet’s aspirations to literary liberation, during the confinements of the “Romantic” era of poetry. Driven by an quieted rebellious spirit and strong catholic faith, Blake uses his pent up emotions to write poetry that is subtly defiant. His first two line stanza, “A Robin Redbreast in a cage, puts all heaven in a rage.”
Begins the poem with biblical imagery, perhaps this is an implication at the divine birds that pulled thorns from the crucified Jesus, but this small bird extends beyond holy importance. The Red-Breasted Robin has long been harbinger of spring and thusly the novelty and liberation associated with the season. Regarded with great respect and in Blake’s case reverence, the little bird may also represent the imprisonment of all free-thought and outspoken men and women: examples of “Red Breasted Robins” throughout history may be imprisoned or silenced revolutionaries the world across including the likes of Nelson Mandela, England’s Emmeline Pankhurst or Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi. Blake likens the resulting cries of protest from impassioned supporters to the wrath of heaven’s angels: “… all heaven in a rage.” An emblem of hope, rebirth and freedom, the Red Breasted Robin is the most compassionate of symbols, and Blake uses her wisely. Blake’s theme of abolition denied is continued into his following stanza, “A skylark wounded on the wing, Doth make a Cherub cease to sing.” The Skylark is a bird characterized by by it’s beautiful melodies, but also it’s great fondness of heights. Blake deems a Skylark declined the ability to fly is a such a tragedy as a cherub; a chubby angel distinguished by its euphonic voice, who is declined its gift of song. This rebuttal or prevention of the following of one’s soul purpose is exactly the calamity Blake warns us of. For what is a Skylark who cannot fly? Or an Cherub who doesn’t sing? Blake’s uses these analogies to convey the magnitude of the crime committed in refusing or being denied your purpose, but also the act of inhibiting others from pursuing their purpose. In Blake's final lines he once again speaks of the atrocity of curtailing creativity and expression, for freedom of expression is often just as important as legal or physical freedom, Blake dictates the fate of men who would endanger this freedom with conviction. “He who shall hurt the little wren, shall never be beloved by men.” The wren has long been a motif of creativity and innocence, regarded by the Celts as a open, resourceful, little bird that is both agile, determined and selflessly generous. Possess of a elusive nature and pleasant song the Wren is a sacred bird in several religions notably Celtic where they have long been associated with the religion’s Mystic leaders called Druids and were said be guarded by lightning. Wrens have stood for positive traits such as wisdom and divinity, and to harm one was the worst of luck perhaps this superstition has traveled down through the generations of United Kingdom residents and consequently bled through into Blake’s writing. One doesn't need to be possessed of age old traditions to respect the indications of the Wren, one simply needs to look upon the Wren to appreciate the accepting, amiable nature of the bird, whose naïve, shyness, agility, speed and astuteness lend to its elusive nature and the rarity of it’s encounters with man. The deliberate harm of such a pure creature whose title can be traced to that of King in several European languages; or it's resulting typology, is most assuredly a heinous act indeed.
William Blake’s voice is passionate and expressive, and his words are as meaningful and deliberate as the analogies he creates with them. A martyr of respect for all living things, as well as freedom; both physical and psychological. He is indisputable in his condemnation of all who would silence creativity or constrain the independence of fellow man or beast. “Three Things to Remember,” is an abstract piece of simple composition and clear intentions, yet based in a foundation of thoughts both ardent and profound, irresistibly fervent and delightfully intelligent Blake’s words are quite as surely as cordial as Birdsong.