William Blake

William Blake is considered a leading figure of the Romantic Movement in English literature. He valued emotion, the beauty of nature and the power of imagination. Blake is recognized as a highly individual thinker whose work cannot be easily categorized. Blake was a highly talented poet, painter and engraver whose work was filled with religious visions rather than with subjects from everyday life. Misunderstanding shadowed his career and it was only after he died that he was recognized.

Born on November 28, 1757 in London, Blake as a child was an outcast and didn’t have many friends. He was initially educated at home by his mother and became socially inept. His family were very strong, staunch believers in God and Blake spent many lonely hours reading the Bible. He often reflected on ideas about life and religion. From childhood, he experienced visions of angels and ghostly monks. All of Blake’s work were strongly influenced by his religious views and beliefs. Theological quest...