Critical analysis of Lamb by William Blake

 

"The Lamb" is the most celebrated poem by William Blake, published in his collection Songs of Innocence in 1789. It reveals the mystic inclination of the poet. Because the lamb becomes the spiritual symbol of Jesus Christ at the end of the poem. The sense of mysticism is deep rooted in the poem, thus the rhetorical questions like “the little lamb who made thee” remarkably reminds the benevolence of God and his creations. 

 

"The Lamb" consists of two stanzas, In the first stanza, the speaker addresses a lamb, asking a series of rhetorical questions about its creation and existence. The speaker begins by asking, "Little Lamb, who made thee?" and goes on to ponder how the lamb acquired its soft, gentle qualities, such as its clothing of wool, its tender voice, and its happy disposition. The speaker then proceeds to inform the lamb that it was created by someone called the Lamb's creator. The second stanza begins with the speaker answering their own question, stating that the creator is called the Lamb of God and describes the Lamb as meek and mild. 

 

"The Lamb" is a counterpart to Blake's poem "The Tyger," which explores the darker aspects of creation. In contrast, "The Lamb" focuses on innocence, purity, and the gentle nature of God's creation. The poem is written in simple language, reflecting the innocence it celebrates. The repetitive questions asked by the speaker create a sense of wonder and awe, inviting the reader to contemplate the beauty and goodness of the lamb's creation.

 

One of the key themes in the poem is the connection between the lamb and Christ. The Lamb is referred to as the Lamb of God, evoking Christian imagery of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world. This connection emphasizes the lamb's purity and innocence and suggests that God's benevolence is reflected in the lamb's creation. By associating the lamb with Christ, Blake suggests that the divine qualities of love, tenderness, and mercy are inherent in all of God's creations.

 

Another theme explored in the poem is the power of simplicity and the natural world. The lamb, representing the natural world, is portrayed as a gentle and harmless creature. Its voice is described as "tender," and it is adorned with wool, which symbolizes warmth and comfort. Blake celebrates the lamb's simplicity and its connection to the divine, suggesting that true wisdom and beauty can be found in the natural world.

 

"The Lamb" can also be seen as a reflection on the concept of innocence itself. Blake's Songs of Innocence as a whole explores the loss of innocence and the corruption of society. In this poem, the lamb represents the purity and goodness that can be found in a state of innocence. By highlighting the lamb's qualities and its creator's watchful care, Blake contrasts the lamb's innocence with the complexities and darkness of the world.

 

In fact, "The Lamb" by William Blake is a short but profound poem that celebrates the innocence, purity, and divine qualities of a gentle lamb. Through simple language and repetitive questioning, Blake invites the reader to contemplate the beauty and goodness of creation, emphasizing the connection between the lamb and Christ. The poem highlights the power of simplicity and the natural world, while also exploring the concept of innocence and its contrast with a corrupt society.