The Tyger by William Blake | The Tyger | William Blake | Explanation | Summary | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
The Tyger
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?
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Explanation
This stanza introduces the Tyger and sets up the central question of the poem: who or what could create such a fearsome creature? The “burning bright” suggests the shining, almost fiery appearance of the tiger, which is contrasted with the darkness of the forest. The “fearful symmetry” refers to the tiger’s ferocious yet beautiful form.
Poetic devices
Alliteration: “burning bright,”- creates a musicality and emphasizes the tiger’s intensity.
Repetition: “Tyger Tyger” emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of the tiger.
Metaphor: The tiger is compared to fire, highlighting its fierce and awe-inspiring nature.
Apostrophe: Addressing the tiger directly creates a sense of intimacy and wonder.
Rhetorical question: “What immortal hand or eye,” poses the central question of the poem, exploring the nature of creation.
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?
Explanation
This stanza continues the questioning of the first, wondering where (in the heavens or the depths) the tiger’s fiery eyes were created. The second half of the stanza might be a reference to the myth of Prometheus, who dared to steal fire from the gods.
Poetic Device
Alliteration: “distant deeps,” – adds emphasis and creates a sense of awe and fear.
Metaphor: “fire of thine eyes” further emphasizes the tiger’s powerful and potentially destructive nature.
Rhetorical Questions: The repeated questions create a sense of wonder and emphasize the mystery surrounding the tiger’s creation.
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?
Explanation
This stanza delves into the physical creation of the tiger, questioning what kind of strength and skill could create the tiger’s heart, a symbol of courage and ferocity. The “dread hand” and “dread feet” suggest a powerful and perhaps terrifying creator.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: Describing the creation of the tiger’s heart as twisting sinews emphasizes the intricate and powerful nature of the process.
Repetition: The repetition of the word “dread” intensifies the sense of fear and mystery surrounding the tiger’s creation.
Personification: Body parts are given human qualities like “shoulder,” “art,” “heart,” “feet” – emphasizing the deliberateness and skill involved in the tiger’s creation.
Rhetorical Question: The speaker asks rhetorical questions about the physical creation of the tiger.
What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
Explanation
This stanza uses blacksmithing imagery to describe the creation of the tiger’s brain, suggesting a process of forging and shaping under intense heat and pressure. The “deadly terrors” refer to the tiger’s ferocious capabilities.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: The speaker uses the metaphor of a blacksmith’s tools to describe the creation of the tiger’s brain.
Rhetorical Question: The speaker asks rhetorical questions about the creation process of the tiger.
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?
Explanation
This stanza suggests a celestial reaction to the creation of the tiger. The creator is questioned again, this time in relation to the creation of the lamb, a traditional symbol of innocence and gentleness. This presents a stark contrast to the fierce tiger.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: The speaker uses the metaphor of stars throwing down their spears and watering heaven with their tears to describe a celestial reaction to the creation of the tiger.
Rhetorical Question: The speaker asks a rhetorical question about the creator’s reaction to his creation.
Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Explanation
The poem concludes with a repetition of the first stanza, emphasizing the central question and sense of awe and wonder. However, the word “could” is replaced with “dare,” highlighting a shift from questioning the creator’s ability to questioning their boldness in creating such a powerful and potentially dangerous creature.
Poetic Device
Repetition: The speaker almost repeats the first stanza, emphasizing the central question of the poem.
Rhetorical Question: The speaker asks a rhetorical question about the divine being who dared to create the tiger.
Summary
“The Tyger” is a poem by the English poet William Blake, published in 1794 as part of his collection “Songs of Experience.” The poem explores the nature of creation, innocence, and experience through the imagery of a fierce and powerful tiger. The tiger is symbolic of the darker, more destructive aspects of existence.
The speaker begins by marveling at the intensity and brightness of the tiger, addressing it with the repeated phrase “Tyger Tyger, burning bright.” The poem then delves into a series of questions, pondering the origin and nature of the tiger and the forces that brought it into being. The questions suggest a sense of awe and wonder but also convey a sense of fear and mystery surrounding the creation of such a powerful and potentially dangerous creature.
The poem explores the paradox of creation, questioning who or what could have crafted such a fearsome and majestic creature. The mention of the “forests of the night” and the idea of the tiger burning bright suggest a wild and primal energy. The repeated questioning of various aspects of the tiger’s creation emphasizes the mystery and complexity of existence.
The final stanzas of the poem draw a connection between the tiger and the Lamb, another creation of the divine. The speaker questions whether the same creative force that made the gentle and innocent Lamb could also be responsible for the fierce and terrifying tiger. This contrast between the lamb and the tiger raises questions about the duality of creation, the coexistence of innocence and experience, and the enigmatic nature of the divine.
Overall, “The Tyger” is a powerful exploration of the complexities of existence, creation, and the dual nature of life. William Blake’s use of vivid imagery, repetition, and questioning creates a sense of awe and mystery, inviting readers to contemplate the profound aspects of the human experience.
Key Points
Author
William Blake: An English poet, painter, and visionary artist known for his mystical and symbolic works. He lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Form
“The Tyger” is a lyric poem consisting of six quatrains (four-line stanzas). The rhyme scheme is AABB, which means the first- and second-lines rhyme with each other and the third- and fourth-lines rhyme with each other.
Speaker
The speaker of the poem is an anonymous observer, who could be interpreted as Blake himself or a symbolic character representing curiosity and wonder.
Setting
The setting is not explicitly stated, but the imagery suggests a mystical forest at night where the Tyger is roaming.
Theme
The main themes of the poem are creation, nature, and the divine. The speaker questions the nature of the Tyger’s creator and contrasts the fierce Tyger with the gentle Lamb, symbolizing the dichotomy of good and evil in the world.
Plot
The poem doesn’t have a traditional plot. Instead, it presents a series of rhetorical questions about the creation and nature of the Tyger, reflecting the speaker’s awe and wonder.
Tone
The tone of the poem is one of awe and wonder, mixed with a sense of fear and mystery. The speaker marvels at the Tyger’s beauty and power, while also expressing fear of its ferocity.
Style
Blake’s style in this poem is characterized by vivid and fiery imagery, symbolism, and the use of rhetorical questions. The language is simple yet profound, and the rhythm is reminiscent of a song or chant.
Message
The message of the poem is open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that it’s a meditation on the duality of creation. The same divine being that created the gentle Lamb also created the fierce Tyger, suggesting that beauty, innocence, ferocity, and fear are all part of the divine creation.
William Blake
1. Birth and Early Life:
William Blake was born on 28 November 1757 in Soho, London.
He was the third of seven children, two of whom died in infancy.
2. Education:
Blake attended school only long enough to learn reading and writing, leaving at the age of 10.
He was otherwise educated at home by his mother Catherine Blake.
3. Career:
Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker.
He is largely known for his lyric poems “Songs of Innocence” (1789) and “Songs of Experience” (1794), and his epic poems, “Milton” and “Jerusalem”.
These works he etched, printed, colored, stitched, and sold, with the assistance of his devoted wife, Catherine.
4. Style and Themes:
Blake’s work combines simple language with complex subject matters.
His work explores important issues in politics, religion, and psychology.
He embraced the imagination as “the body of God” or “human existence itself”.
5. Recognition:
Largely unrecognized during his life, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age.
In 2002, Blake was placed at number 38 in the BBC’s poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.
6. Death:
William Blake died on 12 August 1827 in London.
Word Meaning
| Line | Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| 1 | Tyger | Old spelling of Tiger | बाघ |
| 1 | burning bright | radiating intense light | तेजी से जलना |
| 4 | frame | create, give form to | आकार देना |
| 4 | fearful symmetry | beauty with a hint of danger | भयानक समरूपता |
| 5 | deeps | vast unknown depths | गहराई |
| 5 | skies | heavens | आकाश |
| 6 | fire of thine eyes | intense gaze, powerful look | तेरी आंखों की आग |
| 7 | aspire | desire strongly, aim high | लक्ष्य रखना |
| 8 | dare | have the courage to do something | हिम्मत करना |
| 10 | twist | bend, shape | मोड़ना |
| 10 | sinews | tendons, muscles | नसें |
| 12 | dread | fear, terror | भय |
| 14 | furnace | high-temperature oven used for melting metal | भट्टी |
| 14 | thy | your | तुम्हारा |
| 15 | anvil | heavy block used for shaping metal | निहाई |
| 15 | grasp | hold tightly | पकड़ |
| 16 | deadly terrors | frightening dangers | घातक आतंक |
| 16 | clasp | hold/catch | पकड़ |
| 17 | spears | weapons for throwing | भाले |
| 18 | watered | made wet with tears | सींचा |
| 20 | Lamb | young sheep, symbol of innocence and meekness | मेमना |
Very Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is the author of “The Tyger”?
A: The author of “The Tyger” is William Blake.
Q: In which collection does “The Tyger” appear?
A: “The Tyger” appears in the collection “Songs of Experience”.
Q: What is the form of “The Tyger”?
A: “The Tyger” is a lyric poem consisting of six quatrains.
Q: What is the rhyme scheme of “The Tyger”?
A: The rhyme scheme of “The Tyger” is AABB.
Q: What does the Tyger symbolize in the poem?
A: The Tyger symbolizes the fierce force in the world, which is both terrifying and beautiful.
Q: What is the central question of the poem?
A: The central question of the poem is who or what could create such a fearsome creature as the Tyger.
Q: What does the Lamb symbolize in the poem?
A: The Lamb symbolizes innocence and gentleness.
Q: What does the speaker wonder about in the second stanza?
A: The speaker wonders where the Tyger’s fiery eyes were created.
Q: What does the speaker question in the third stanza?
A: The speaker questions what kind of strength and skill could create the Tyger’s heart.
Q: What imagery is used in the fourth stanza?
A: The fourth stanza uses blacksmithing imagery to describe the creation of the Tyger’s brain.
Q: What celestial event does the speaker describe in the fifth stanza?
A: The speaker describes a celestial reaction to the creation of the Tyger in the fifth stanza.
Q: What does the speaker ask about the creator in the fifth stanza?
A: The speaker asks if the creator of the Tyger also made the Lamb.
Q: How does the poem end?
A: The poem ends with a repetition of the first stanza.
Q: What is the tone of the poem?
A: The tone of the poem is one of awe and wonder, mixed with a sense of fear and mystery.
Q: What themes does the poem explore?
A: The poem explores themes of divine creation, beauty, and the dichotomy of good and evil.
Q: What does the “burning bright” in the first line refer to?
A: The “burning bright” refers to the shining, almost fiery appearance of the tiger.
Q: What does the “fearful symmetry” in the first stanza refer to?
A: The “fearful symmetry” refers to the tiger’s ferocious yet beautiful form.
Q: What does the “dread hand” and “dread feet” in the third stanza suggest? A: The “dread hand” and “dread feet” suggest a powerful and perhaps terrifying creator.
Q: What does the “deadly terrors” in the fourth stanza refer to?
A: The “deadly terrors” refer to the tiger’s ferocious capabilities.
Q: What does the speaker mean by “Did he who made the Lamb make thee?” in the fifth stanza?
A: The speaker is questioning whether the same divine being that created the gentle Lamb also created the fierce Tyger.
Short Answer Questions
Q: What is the significance of the Tyger’s creation in the poem?
A: The Tyger’s creation is significant as it represents the process of bringing something into existence that is both beautiful and terrifying. The speaker marvels at the Tyger’s form and questions what kind of divine being could create such a creature. This reflects on the paradox of creation – that it can produce both beauty and terror.
Q: How does Blake use contrast in “The Tyger”?
A: Blake uses contrast in “The Tyger” to highlight the dichotomy of good and evil in the world. The Tyger, a symbol of ferocity and power, is contrasted with the Lamb, a symbol of innocence and gentleness. This contrast raises questions about the nature of the divine and the complexity of the universe.
Q: What is the role of rhetorical questions in the poem?
A: The rhetorical questions in “The Tyger” serve to express the speaker’s awe and wonder at the Tyger’s creation. They also invite the reader to ponder the same questions, engaging them in the speaker’s contemplation of the divine and the nature of creation.
Q: How does the poem reflect the Romantic era’s emphasis on emotion and individualism?
A: “The Tyger” reflects the Romantic era’s emphasis on emotion through its evocative language and vivid imagery, which convey a sense of awe and fear. The poem’s focus on the individual experience of the speaker, who grapples with profound questions about the nature of the divine, also aligns with the Romantic emphasis on individualism.
Q: How does the poem use imagery to convey its themes?
A: The poem uses vivid and fiery imagery to convey its themes. The Tyger is described as “burning bright” in the forests of the night, an image that captures its fearsome power and beauty. The imagery of the stars throwing down their spears and watering heaven with their tears suggests a cosmic reaction to the Tyger’s creation, underscoring the poem’s exploration of the divine.
Q: What does the repetition of the first stanza at the end of the poem signify? A: The repetition of the first stanza at the end of the poem brings the poem full circle, emphasizing the unanswered question of the Tyger’s creation. It also serves to reinforce the poem’s central themes and heighten the sense of mystery and awe.
Q: How does the poem explore the theme of creation?
A: The poem explores the theme of creation through its questioning of the Tyger’s origins. The speaker wonders about the divine being who could create such a fearsome creature, and contrasts this with the creation of the gentle Lamb. This reflects on the complexity and paradox of creation.
Q: What is the significance of the blacksmith imagery in the poem?
A: The blacksmith imagery in the poem serves to illustrate the process of creation. The speaker uses the metaphor of a blacksmith forging the Tyger to convey the idea of a powerful creator shaping the Tyger under intense heat and pressure. This imagery underscores the theme of creation and the power of the divine.
Q: How does the poem reflect Blake’s views on religion and the divine?
A: The poem reflects Blake’s views on religion and the divine through its exploration of the nature of the divine being who could create both the Tyger and the Lamb. This suggests a complex and multifaceted view of the divine, capable of creating both beauty and terror. It also reflects Blake’s questioning of traditional religious beliefs.
Q: What is the impact of the poem’s simple language and complex subject matter?
A: The impact of the poem’s simple language and complex subject matter is to make profound and philosophical questions about the nature of the divine and the paradox of creation accessible and engaging. The simple language draws in the reader, while the complex subject matter invites deeper contemplation and interpretation.
Essay Type Questions
Write the critical appreciation of the poem.
Introduction: “The Tyger” is one of the most famous poems by William Blake, published in his collection “Songs of Experience” in 1794. The poem is a richly symbolic reflection on the nature of creation and the creator.
Structure, Form, and Rhyme Scheme: “The Tyger” is composed of six quatrains (four-line stanzas), and follows an AABB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a rhythmic quality, enhancing its musicality and making it memorable. The repetition of certain lines and phrases also contributes to this effect.
Plot: The poem doesn’t follow a traditional plot. Instead, it presents a series of rhetorical questions about the nature and origin of the Tyger, a symbol of fierce beauty and power. The speaker wonders about the divine being capable of creating such a creature, and contrasts this with the creation of the Lamb, a symbol of innocence and gentleness.
Style: Blake’s style in “The Tyger” is characterized by its simplicity and depth. The language is straightforward, yet the themes and questions it raises are profound and complex. The poem is rich in vivid and fiery imagery, which serves to underscore its exploration of creation, divinity, and the dichotomy of good and evil.
Themes: The main themes of “The Tyger” include creation, divinity, and the dichotomy of good and evil. The poem explores these themes through its questioning of the Tyger’s origins and nature, and its contrast between the Tyger and the Lamb. This reflects Blake’s fascination with the complexity and paradox of creation, and his questioning of traditional religious beliefs.
Poetic Devices: “The Tyger” employs a range of poetic devices, including alliteration (“burning bright”), metaphor (the Tyger’s fiery eyes, the blacksmith imagery), and rhetorical questioning. These devices serve to enhance the poem’s themes and add depth to its exploration of creation and divinity.
Message: The message of “The Tyger” is open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that it’s a meditation on the duality of creation. The same divine being that created the gentle Lamb also created the fierce Tyger, suggesting that beauty, innocence, ferocity, and fear are all part of the divine creation.
Conclusion: “The Tyger” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to captivate readers with its exploration of profound themes and its vivid, fiery imagery. Its questioning of the nature of creation and the divine reflects Blake’s innovative and questioning spirit, and its simple yet profound language makes it accessible and engaging to a wide range of readers.
