BY WILLIAM BLAKE THE COMPANION TO «THE TYGER » THE LAMB BY WILLIAM BLAKE THE COMPANION TO «THE TYGER »

Religious meaning The lamb is an important symbol of sacrifice in both Judaism and Christianity. In the Old Testament (very similar to the Torah), God told the Israelites, who were being held as slaves in Egypt, to sacrifice a lamb and use the blood of the lamb to mark their doors. That night, God went to all the unmarked houses and killed the first-born son, as a punishment to the Egyptians for holding the Isrealites in slavery. After that night, the Israelites were freed from slavery. God instructed them to sacrifice a lamb every year in memory and thanksgiving. This is the origins of the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Jesus celebrated the Passover meal on his last night alive Jesus celebrated the Passover meal on his last night alive. The next day he was crucified and died. Christians believe that Jesus allowed himself to be sacrificed to save others, just as the lambs were sacrificed to save the Israelites. Thus, Jesus is often called the sacrificial lamb, or the Lamb of God. The “Lamb of God” is the name of an important prayer that is recited at all Catholic masses. "Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world" (John i.29)

Historical Context

Pastoral Painting

Little Lamb who made thee Dost thou know who made thee Gave thee life & bid thee feed. By the stream & o’er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing wooly bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice! Little Lamb I’ll tell thee, Little Lamb I’ll tell thee! He is called by thy name, For he calls himself a Lamb: He is meek & he is mild, He became a little child: I a child & thou a lamb, We are called by his name. Little Lamb God bless thee.

Literal Meaning The poem begins with the question, “Little Lamb, who made thee?” The speaker, a child, asks the lamb about its origins: how it came into being, how it acquired its particular manner of feeding, its “clothing” of wool, its “tender voice.” In the next stanza, the speaker attempts a riddling answer to his own question: the lamb was made by one who “calls himself a Lamb,” one who resembles in his gentleness both the child and the lamb. The poem ends with the child bestowing a blessing on the lamb.

PURPOSE OF POEM Blake is telling us that God created the cute, cuddly, innocent little lamb, just as he created the cute little child that is talking to the lamb. Already the link with: 1) Christianity 2) The Lamb 3) Innocence

Ask Blake 1) What is the power of repetition in this poem ? 2) Why does Blake use the term THEE ? 3) What do you think of when you see these words: thee, rejoice, bless, child, thou, his/he

Ask the Lamb 1) How does Blake describe the little lamb? 2) Why is it important that the noun « lamb » is referred to as « Lamb » ? 3) What does the lamb provide to us, man ? 4) Blake refers to another being ? « his name »; Who/What is this being ?

Poetic Devices Symbols – Lamb Imagery – Pastoral setting of nature Christ, Nature, Innocence, Beauty Imagery – Pastoral setting of nature Rhymes – Very basic – Almost childlike Rhyme Scheme – Simple AABB – Almost childlike Repetition – lots of it Alliteration – Little Lamb, Meek and Mild Personification – lamb is given clothing and a voice

Important words Lamb “Dost thou know?” and “Little” “Meek” and “mild” Jesus is often called “The Lamb of God” “Dost thou know?” and “Little” Well, aren’t I just a bit better than you little lamb! “Meek” and “mild” Words associated with Christ and Christians Child Lamb = Jesus = Child of God Little child talking to lamb = Child of God God made lamb. Therefore, lamb = Child of God

Theme Innocence: Be it a child or a cute animal in nature, is a beautiful gift given by God to all of us. Christ-Like: Everyone and everything in God’s creation is Christ-like. Pastoral Idyllism The idea of a perfect pastoral society. Perfection through the lamb and child.