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?
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The Tyger by William Blake Analysis
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.
