William Blake: Visionary Anarchist

by Peter H. Marshall

William Blake (1757–1827) was a poet, painter, engraver and visionary. Considered eccentric, if not mad, in his own day, he now appears as a key figure in English Romanticism. He listened to ‘Messengers from Heaven’ but he had his feet firmly on the ground and was involved in the central issues of his revolutionary age.
Throughout his life he remained a ‘Liberty Boy’, looking forward to a time when everyone would become priest and king in their own home, exercise the ‘Divine Arts of Imagination’ and see that ‘everything that lives is Holy’.
Peter Marshall’s study draws on Blake’s complete writings, his poetry and his prose. It offers a lively and perceptive account of his thought, ranging from his philosophy and his critique of existing society and culture, to his vision of a free world. Marshall presents Blake as a forerunner of modern anarchism and social ecology, and reveals the light which shines behind the misty mountain range of his symbolism and mythology.

Genres: Romanticism, Politics, Philosophy, Art, Poetry

69 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Peter Hugh Marshall (born 23 August 1946, Bognor Regis, England) is an English philosopher, historian, biographer, travel writer and poet. He has written fifteen books which are being translated into fourteen different languages. He wrote, presented and partly filmed the 6-part HTV series 'Voyage Around Africa', first shown in 1994. He also wrote and presented the two-part series 'Celtic Gold: A Voyage around Ireland' for BBC Radio Wales in 1995, which later became a book.

Reviews

[Jerome · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just to be clear, this book is very brief; under 70 pages, so the scope is hardly like that of Erdman's Blake: Prophet Against Empire. Instead, This work sets for itself the task of establishing Blake's credentials as an anarchist thinker. First, Blake predates Bakunin and the enlightenment anarchists by over forty years. Second, Blake's own anarchist vision was philosophically opposed to the enlightenment which gave rise to nineteenth century anarchism. Third, Blake was a poet, not a philosopher nor political scientist. The task then is to cull from Blake's poetry, letters, and life a coherent picture of Blake as anarchist. Given the difficulties, Marshall does a pretty decent job, summarizing Blake's theory of nature, his anthropology, his view of religion and the state, and Blake's particular vision of utopia. Marshall is able to highlight areas of divergence between Blake and nineteenth century anarchists, contemporary radicals (Godwin & Paine), and historical antecedents (Ranters & the Brethren of the Free Spirit) while maintaining his anti-authoritarian and anti-statist stance.

[David Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Damn the King and his country, his subjects and all you soldiers are sold for slaves." Long live William Blake!

[Mahmut KAYAALTI · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit subjective, but all in all a big fun to discover more about William Blake

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explains in clear language what sometimes gets lost in all the textual analysis of larger critical works: Blake was a religious nutter but he ultimately wanted to do away with money and live in a free society without churches or governments where everything is shared and humans can follow their own hearts instead of repressive rules. Marshall doesn't get too involved with the more Romantik rejection of positivism in Blake's schtick. He also doesn't get into the freakier shades of Blake's theology, but this is the best explanation of Blake's personal post-French Revolution mythology that I've come across.

[Sarah Twist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice book and not so long as to be intimidating. Very dense in it's thinking.
Really interesting to see someone with a strong religion also being so radical as I associate religion with conservatism. Nice to have that door open just a smidge.
Not sure I understood all of it or the concepts, but I'm keen to know more about anarchism now and feel a real want to read more of William Blake's poetry.

Glad to have been able to borrow this from a friend's husband when he couldn't find the book he was looking for on William Morris

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

he valued above all bread, music and the laughter of children

a short, snappy and fairly persuasive book - I'm not sure exactly where Blake would sit in modern political definitions, but he certainly seems like one of the good ones!

would recommend 'the world turned upside down' for people who enjoy this

[Jakub Kr]

Ježíš podle Blakea porušil 10 přikázání! :O

[Mehmet Dönmez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pek bir şey anlamadım. Ama William Blake’e dair bir şey okumak güzel