> Skip to content
  • Published: 30 October 2017
  • ISBN: 9780241303054
  • Imprint: Penguin Classics
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 112
  • RRP: $19.99
Categories:

Songs of Innocence and of Experience




A collectible new Penguin Classics series: beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets

Songs of Innocence and Experience is one of the best-loved poetry collections of all time, an innovative and groundbreaking experiment in which Blake intertwined text and image to dazzling effect. The volume, published sometimes as two separate collections, juxtaposes the innocent world of childhood with the corrupt and repressed one of adults. Many of the poems are in pairs, enabling the reader to see the same situation first from the perspective of innocence and then from that of experience, and the volume includes such favourites as 'The Lamb', 'The Chimney Sweeper' and 'The Tyger'.

  • Published: 30 October 2017
  • ISBN: 9780241303054
  • Imprint: Penguin Classics
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 112
  • RRP: $19.99
Categories:

About the author

William Blake

William Blake was born on 28 November 1757 in London. Instead of being sent to school he was given drawing classes from a young age.When he was fourteen he was apprenticed to the engraver James Basire and he later went on to work as an engraver, illustrator, printer and drawing teacher. In 1779 he became a student at the Royal Academy. In 1782 he married Catherine Boucher who was to become a great support to him throughout his life.His first collection of poems, Poetical Sketches was published in 1793. In 1789 he published Songs of Innocence which was followed by Songs of Experience in 1793. In the early 1800s he wrote his epic prophetic poems Milton and Jerusalem. He developed his own practice of illustrating his poetical works with his own etchings, producing beautifully illuminated editions. Blake's political beliefs were controversial for the times; he supported the French Revolution, condemned slavery and the subjugation of women. His religious beliefs were also idiosyncratic and he reported seeing visions of angels at various points in his life. Blake died, poor and in obscurity on 12 August 1827.

Also by William Blake

See all
penguin pop image
penguin pop image