Auguries of Innocence

“The Tyger” by William Blake (1793)

One of Blake’s most famous poems, “The Tyger” is a widely-anthologized work that was first published in Songs of Experience (1793). Like “Auguries of Innocence,” “The Tyger” uses animal imagery; however, the latter’s imagery is more symbolic and metaphorical. The Tyger, a beautiful yet fierce animal, unites the paradox of God’s mercy and judgement.

“Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802” by William Wordsworth (1803)

William Wordsworth’s poem was composed roughly around the same time as “Auguries of Innocence,” and shows the differing poetic and philosophical approaches of Wordsworth and Blake. In this poem, Wordsworth uses natural imagery to describe London in its beauty, while Blake uses the elements of nature to point to the ugliness of society.

“The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats (1920)

Writing nearly 120 years after Blake, Modernist poet W. B. Yeats uses apocalyptic imagery and a prophetic figure to announce a revolution in society. Greatly influenced by Blake, Yeats uses the image of a leonine creature to symbolize Christ’s benign and fierce aspects.