The Tyger is one of the most famous and widely studied poems by English poet William Blake. Published in 1794 as part of his Songs of Experience, the poem explores deep philosophical questions about the nature of creation, divine will, and the complexity of good and evil. It stands as a prominent work in the Romantic period, a time known for its emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism.
The poem is an awe-struck contemplation of the tiger, a creature that represents both beauty and terror. Blake’s portrayal of the tiger goes beyond its physical characteristics, asking profound questions about the creator who could have made such a powerful and dangerous being. The central question of the poem, "What immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry?" suggests that the speaker is in awe of the tiger’s form and power while also contemplating the identity and intentions of its creator. The poem’s exploration of these themes serves as a critique of the Christian religious paradigm of Blake's time, as it questions the nature of the God who creates both innocence (represented by the lamb) and experience (represented by the tiger).
Blake’s Songs of Experience, which The Tyger is a part of, was written as a response to the earlier Songs of Innocence (1789). While Songs of Innocence reflects the purity and simplicity of childhood and a state of grace, Songs of Experience grapples with the complexities, struggles, and darker aspects of human existence. The Tyger reflects this shift, as it delves into the darker, more complex questions of life, creation, and morality.
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Text of the 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 watered 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?
Line-by-Line Explanation of the Poem
"Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night;"
The poet sees the tiger as glowing and fiery, standing out against the darkness of the forest. The tiger symbolizes both beauty and terror, and the “burning bright” imagery suggests something powerful and almost supernatural.
"What immortal hand or eye, / Could frame thy fearful symmetry?"
The speaker wonders who could have created such a powerful and fearsome creature. The phrase “fearful symmetry” suggests both aesthetic beauty and terrifying power.
"In what distant deeps or skies. / Burnt the fire of thine eyes?"
The speaker questions the origin of the tiger’s fierce energy and fiery eyes, implying a divine or cosmic force.
"On what wings dare he aspire? / What the hand, dare seize the fire?"
The reference to wings may allude to Icarus, suggesting the daring and ambition required to create the tiger. The fire might symbolize Promethean fire—divine power harnessed to create something extraordinary.
"And what shoulder, & what art, / Could twist the sinews of thy heart?"
The poet marvels at the strength and craftsmanship needed to create the tiger’s powerful heart, emphasizing the skill of the creator.
"And when thy heart began to beat, / What dread hand? & what dread feet?"
The speaker again questions what kind of creator could give the tiger life, emphasizing the fearful nature of its creation.
"What the hammer? what the chain, / In what furnace was thy brain?"
The imagery of blacksmithing tools (hammer, chain, furnace) suggests a creator forging the tiger like a weapon, reinforcing its dangerous nature.
"What the anvil? what dread grasp, / Dare its deadly terrors clasp!"
The speaker imagines the creator shaping the tiger with fearsome skill and courage.
"When the stars threw down their spears / And water'd heaven with their tears:"
A cosmic scene unfolds, possibly referring to a celestial reaction to the creation of the tiger, implying that even the universe acknowledges its terrifying power.
"Did he smile his work to see? / Did he who made the Lamb make thee?"
The poet asks if the creator took pride in making the tiger and whether the same divine force created both the gentle lamb (innocence) and the ferocious tiger (experience).
"Tyger Tyger burning bright, / In the forests of the night:"
The repetition reinforces the striking image of the tiger’s powerful presence in the dark.
"What immortal hand or eye, / Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?"
The final stanza rephrases the central question, now emphasizing not just who could create the tiger but who would dare to do so.
Themes and Analysis
Duality of Creation
The poem contrasts the beauty and danger of the tiger, suggesting that understanding one (beauty) requires understanding the other (ferocity).
Innocence vs. Experience
As part of Songs of Experience, the poem reflects Blake’s belief that life’s struggles arise from opposites (innocence vs. experience). He suggests that truth lies in understanding and resolving these contradictions.
God’s Role in Creation
The speaker questions whether the same creator who made the peaceful lamb could have made the fierce tiger, highlighting the dual nature of creation.
Rhetorical Questions
The questions posed in the poem are meant to provoke thought rather than provide clear answers, emphasizing the mystery of existence and creation.
Critical Interpretation
Some critics, like Colin Pedley, suggest Blake may have been influenced by the real-life tragedy of Sir Hector Munro’s son, who was killed by a tiger in 1792, which could have inspired the vivid imagery in the poem.
Others argue that the tiger symbolizes industrialization and the destructive power of human innovation.
The poem’s unanswered questions leave room for multiple interpretations, reinforcing its philosophical depth.
Rhyming Scheme in The Tyger
William Blake’s The Tyger is a lyrical poem written in six quatrains (four-line stanzas), following a structured and rhythmic pattern that enhances its musical quality. The poem’s rhyme scheme is AABB, meaning that the first and second lines rhyme with each other, as do the third and fourth lines in each stanza.
For example, in the opening stanza:
"Tyger Tyger, burning bright," (A)
"In the forests of the night;" (A)
"What immortal hand or eye," (B)
"Could frame thy fearful symmetry?" (B)
This consistent rhyming pattern gives the poem a chant-like, hypnotic quality, which mirrors the awe and mystery surrounding the tiger’s creation. The repetition of the first stanza at the end further reinforces this rhythmic effect, making the poem feel like a cycle, suggesting an eternal and divine presence.
Poetic Devices in The Tyger
1. Meter (Trochaic Tetrameter)
The poem is primarily written in trochaic tetrameter, where each line consists of four trochees (a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable).
Example:
"Tyger Tyger, burning bright,"
This stressed-unstressed pattern creates a forceful, emphatic rhythm, mirroring the powerful, untamed nature of the tiger. The strong beats give the poem a sense of urgency and awe.
2. Repetition
Blake uses repetition to emphasize key ideas and reinforce the poem’s rhythmic quality. The most striking example is the repetition of the first stanza at the end, which acts as a cyclic structure, suggesting that the tiger’s creation—and the questions it raises—are eternal and unanswerable.
Repeated phrase:
"Tyger Tyger, burning bright,"
- The repetition of "Tyger Tyger" intensifies the speaker’s fascination and reverence for the creature.
- The repeated stanza at the end reinforces the mystical and unresolved nature of the poem’s questions.
3. Rhetorical Questions
Blake structures almost the entire poem as a series of rhetorical questions, which create a sense of wonder, speculation, and mystery. These questions highlight the speaker’s inability to comprehend the divine craftsmanship behind the tiger’s creation.
Examples:
"What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry?"
- Suggests that only a powerful, divine force could have created such a magnificent yet terrifying creature.
"Did he who made the Lamb make thee?"
- Establishes a contrast between the innocent, gentle Lamb (symbolizing Christ or purity) and the fierce, majestic Tiger.
- Raises theological questions about the duality of creation—how can the same creator make both good and fearsome beings?
"What the hammer? What the chain?"
- Uses abrupt, fragmented questioning to evoke the image of a blacksmith forging the tiger, portraying its creation as an act of strength, fire, and craftsmanship.
These rhetorical questions add to the mystical and philosophical depth of the poem.
4. Metaphor
Blake employs powerful metaphors to compare the tiger’s creation and power to fire, celestial bodies, and blacksmithing tools.
"Burnt the fire of thine eyes?"
- The tiger’s eyes are compared to burning fire, symbolizing its intensity, energy, and divine power.
- Fire often represents creation, destruction, and transformation, suggesting that the tiger embodies all these forces.
"When the stars threw down their spears / And watered heaven with their tears;"
- Stars are metaphorically depicted as warriors throwing down their spears, possibly symbolizing a cosmic battle or an act of submission.
- "Watered heaven with their tears" could imply a moment of divine sorrow or sacrifice, adding to the poem’s mystical and theological undertones.
"In what furnace was thy brain?"
- The tiger’s creation is compared to metalwork, with imagery of a blacksmith forging it in a fiery furnace.
- This suggests that the tiger is a carefully crafted, divine masterpiece, shaped by intense forces.
These metaphors deepen the sense of awe and reverence in the poem.
5. Alliteration
Blake frequently uses alliteration (the repetition of consonant sounds) to enhance the poem’s musical quality and intensify its dramatic effect.
Examples:
"Burning bright" (repetition of 'b' sound)
- Creates a fiery, striking image of the tiger’s glowing presence.
"Dare its deadly terrors clasp?" (repetition of 'd' sound)
- Reinforces the tiger’s dangerous and fearsome nature.
"What dread hand? & what dread feet?" (repetition of 'd' sound)
- Enhances the sense of mystery and fear, making the reader pause and reflect.
The deliberate use of alliteration adds rhythm and intensity, making the poem even more impactful.
6. Symbolism
Blake’s The Tyger is rich in symbolism, where the tiger represents both awe-inspiring power and terrifying destruction.
- The Tiger → A symbol of divine power, strength, and mystery. It represents the dual nature of creation—both beauty and terror.
- Fire → Symbolizes passion, energy, destruction, and creation. It conveys the idea that the tiger was forged with great intensity and power.
- The Lamb → Represents innocence, peace, and Christ-like purity (a reference to Blake’s earlier poem The Lamb from Songs of Innocence). By contrasting the tiger with the lamb, Blake raises deep questions about God’s dual nature as both a benevolent and fearsome creator.
- Blacksmith Imagery → The creator of the tiger is likened to a blacksmith forging it in a furnace with hammer, anvil, and chain. This portrays creation as an act of strength, craftsmanship, and intensity.
Blake uses these symbols to explore themes of creation, power, duality, and the nature of God.
Conclusion
The Tyger remains a powerful exploration of the mysteries of creation, the nature of good and evil, and the complex relationship between innocence and experience. Through vivid imagery, structured repetition, and profound rhetorical questions, Blake challenges readers to consider the divine role in the creation of both beauty and terror. The poem’s lasting impact lies in its ability to provoke deep thought about the paradoxes of existence, making it one of the most iconic works of Romantic poetry.
Short Answer Questions
1. The poet focuses on two things in the first stanza of the poem. Identify them.
In the first stanza of The Tyger, the poet focuses on the tiger’s striking appearance and the mystery of its creation. He is mesmerized by its burning eyes, which seem to glow in the darkness, making it a symbol of both power and danger. The lines "Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night;" emphasize its fiery and intense presence. The poet also questions what divine force could have created such a magnificent yet terrifying being, asking, "What immortal hand or eye, / Could frame thy fearful symmetry?" This suggests that the tiger is not just a natural creature but a work of supernatural craftsmanship.
2. Why does the poet use the word 'wings' in the second stanza?
Blake’s use of the word wings can be linked to the myth of Icarus, who used artificial wings to fly but fell when he flew too close to the sun. The poet asks, "On what wings dare he aspire?", suggesting that the act of creating the tiger required boldness, ambition, and divine power. Just as Icarus aimed to reach beyond human limits, the tiger’s creator must have possessed extraordinary courage and vision. However, unlike Icarus, whose ambition led to failure, the creator of the tiger succeeded in forging a being of fearsome beauty.
3. What image does the poet play upon when he asks, "And what shoulder, and what art / could twist the sinews of thy heart"?
Blake uses the imagery of a blacksmith shaping metal to describe the creation of the tiger. The reference to shoulder suggests immense physical strength, while art emphasizes precision and craftsmanship. The phrase "Could twist the sinews of thy heart?" evokes the image of powerful hands twisting and shaping muscles, much like a blacksmith bends hot iron into form. This reinforces the idea that the tiger was not merely created but forged with immense effort and skill.
4. Blake writes: "In what furnace is thy brain?" What does he imply by this?
The poet compares the making of the tiger’s mind and power to metal being shaped in a blazing furnace. The line "In what furnace was thy brain?" suggests that the tiger’s intellect and strength were not simply formed but hardened through fire, much like a weapon is forged. The reference to a furnace implies that the process of creating such a being was intense, deliberate, and almost beyond human understanding.
5. Why is a 'lamb' mentioned?
The lamb serves as a contrast to the tiger, representing innocence, purity, and gentleness. The poet asks, "Did he who made the Lamb make thee?", highlighting the paradox of creation. It is astonishing that the same divine force that created something as meek and gentle as a lamb could also craft something as fearsome and powerful as a tiger. This contrast deepens the mystery of the poem, making the poet question the complex and dual nature of creation.
6. Explain the word choice and effect of 'dare' in the last line of the last stanza: "Dare frame thy fearful symmetry."
The word dare suggests boldness and divine authority, implying that crafting the tiger was an act of immense courage and power. The phrase "Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?" intensifies the mystery, as it implies that only a fearless and god-like force could have undertaken such a task. The word fearful adds to the sense of awe and terror, making the tiger a creature that is both beautiful and formidable.
Long Answer Questions
1. Describe the features of the tiger. What feelings does it evoke in the poet?
The tiger is described as majestic, powerful, and fearsome. It has burning eyes, symbolizing fire and intensity, and its symmetrical form suggests divine perfection. The poet is both awed and terrified by its presence. He describes its creation with phrases like "twist the sinews of thy heart" and "In what furnace was thy brain?", emphasizing its strength and intelligence. The tiger evokes mixed emotions in the poet—he admires its grandeur and perfection but is also unsettled by its ferocity and dangerous aura. The poet is left in wonder and uncertainty, questioning the nature of its creator.
2. Comment on the rhyming scheme of the poem.
The poem follows a regular AABB rhyme scheme, meaning each stanza consists of paired rhyming couplets. This structured pattern gives the poem a rhythmic, chant-like quality, making it sound almost musical or hypnotic. The repetition of certain lines, such as the opening and closing stanza, reinforces the poem’s cyclical nature, emphasizing the unanswered mystery of the tiger’s origin. The simplicity of the rhyme contrasts with the depth of the poet’s philosophical questioning, making the poem feel both structured and profound.
3. The poem describes one of God's most magnificent achievements. How does the poet emphasize the difference between Gods and humans?
Blake highlights the difference between divine power and human limitations by repeatedly questioning who could have created the tiger. The poet’s inquiries—"What the hammer? What the chain?"—suggest that crafting such a creature required god-like strength and vision. Humans can admire creation, but they cannot fully comprehend or replicate it. The contrast between the tiger and the lamb further reinforces this idea. The poet’s final question, "Did he who made the Lamb make thee?", implies that God’s creation is both gentle and terrifying, beautiful and dangerous. This paradox is beyond human understanding, emphasizing the vast difference between mortal beings and the divine creator.
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