“The Lamb” by William Blake
1. Describe the form of the poem (number of stanzas, rhyme scheme, meter, etc.).
2. What poetic devices are found in the poem?
3. Identify and describe the symbols in the poem.
4. Who is the speaker?
5. Why did Blake choose to use “thee” instead of “you”?
6. What is the tone of the poem and what words contributed to the tone?
7. How does the second stanza vary from the first?
8. What spiritual message is found in the poem?
9. Describe the analogy in the second stanza and what does it contribute to the meaning of the poem?
10. In what way is this poem Romantic?
11. If a creation is a reflection of its creator as the Romantics believed, what does this poem tell us about the lamb’s creator?
“The Tyger”
1. Describe the form of the poem (number of stanzas, rhyme scheme, meter, etc.).
2. What poetic devices are found in the poem?
3. Why do you think Blake chose to replace “could” in line 4 with “dare” in line 24?
4. What analogy is developed in stanzas two, three, and four, and what does it contribute to the poem?
5. Who is the speaker?
6. What is the tone of the poem and what words contributed to the tone?
7. Identify and describe symbols found in the poem.
8. How does the ending of this poem differ from the ending of “The Lamb”?
9. In what way is this poem Romantic?
10. What spiritual questions does this poem raise?
11. If a creation is a reflection of its creator as the Romantics believed, what does this poem tell us about the tyger’s creator?
Compare and contrast “The Lamb” and “The Tyger.” Take into consideration the speakers, analogies, beginning and ending of both poems, and the spiritual questions the poems raise. Be sure to address message of both works as well.