Literature Entry: Week 6
Nurses and Sick Trees: Poetry or Art?
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mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">Through an in-depth analysis of some of Blake’s illuminated works, it seems that everything has significance. From the angle of a branch on a plate to the symbolic poetic feature. Every colour, every letter, every shape has significance. In reading both “Nurses Song” and “The Poison Tree,” I had a real literary awakening of the depth and breadth of Blake’s art. From a reading of just Blake’s words on a white page, one can only appreciate a limited aspect of the work. The true art of Blake can only be appreciated through an analysis of Blake’s illuminated works.
mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">The term, “Illuminated Works” is subject to analysis also. As everything within the collection is significant, why not the title? The word “Illuminated” has a definite potency that is lacking from a word such as “Illustrated.” There is the sense that “Illuminated” provides something profound or considered. The working meaning of “Illuminated” as to decorate a “page or manuscript, with a painted design in colour, gold etc…” provides insight of Blake’s collection on a face value. Inside the leaves of the collection are, indeed, decorated manuscripts. However, there is a much deeper meaning and undoubtedly William Blake was aware of the dimensions. “Illuminated” also refers to a “supply of light” as well as “intellectual and spiritual enlightenment.” This version explicitly caters for the effect the collection had upon me and countless others in the years following Blake’s mortal demise.
mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">The illustrations are simply not just musing of the paintbrush or chisel. They are illuminations, or sources of intellectual or spiritual enlightenment. Such illuminations add dimensions to the poetry that is beyond the rigid nature of language. Once one has found the “illuminated Works” it seems almost bourgeoisie mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">to return to simply reading the words on the page, as insightful and visionary as they are. The illuminations completely alter focus of the poetry and convert them from words to Art.
mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">What are your thoughts?
mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">r e I l l y