Blake on Emanuel Swedenberg
Understanding or Thought is not natural to Man; it is acquired by means of Suffering and Distress, i.e. Experience. Will, Desire, Love, Rage, Envy, and all other affections are Natural, but Understanding is Acquired. But Observe: without these is to be less than man." - William Blake, The Wisdom of Angels, Concerning Divine Love and Divine Wisdom
My prof provided this as the footnote to a lecture on Blake's works, particularly the Songs of Innocence and Experience. Though I'm not a particular fan of his poetry on the surface, I have to say I enjoyed the provided interpretation of it and I'll certainly have to re-read some of his poetry from this new perspective.
It should come as little surprise, given my interest, that Blake was considered mad at the time. But then, as he also intimated, what's life without a little insanity?
It's also interesting to me that this is actually the second time I've studied several of these poems. I didn't much care for them the first time through, so I have to give praise to my professor for providing a much more enjoyable, and less technical, presentation of the works.
My prof provided this as the footnote to a lecture on Blake's works, particularly the Songs of Innocence and Experience. Though I'm not a particular fan of his poetry on the surface, I have to say I enjoyed the provided interpretation of it and I'll certainly have to re-read some of his poetry from this new perspective.
It should come as little surprise, given my interest, that Blake was considered mad at the time. But then, as he also intimated, what's life without a little insanity?
It's also interesting to me that this is actually the second time I've studied several of these poems. I didn't much care for them the first time through, so I have to give praise to my professor for providing a much more enjoyable, and less technical, presentation of the works.