Blake: Prophet Against Empire

by David V. Erdman

"An unsurpassed account of the historical background—literary, cultural & intellectual as well as political & social—against which Blake worked & to which he responded as engraver, painter & poet."—English Language Notes
For many years, Blake was seen as a brilliant eccentric on the fringes of English literature & art. In the 20th century, however, he came to be regarded as one of the greatest English poets & painters, one whose insights have profoundly influenced such thinkers as Nietzsche, Freud & D.H. Lawrence. In this volume, a leading Blake scholar shows how the political & social events & movements of the 18th & early 19th centuries influenced or inspired many of his finest poems: "America," "Europe," "The Marriage of Heaven & Hell," "The French Revolution," "Songs of Innocence & of Experience," "The Four Zoas" etc. While the poems can be read on many levels, this in-depth critical study demonstrates that much of the strange symbolism of this poetry represents a literary campaign against the political tyranny of the day. For the 3rd edition, Erdman added much new material that came to light after the original publication of the book in 1954. Also included are over 30 illustrations, a Chronology, an Appendix of Additions & Revisions, & other materials. Written for students, scholars & specialists—anyone interested in the relationship of the poet's extraordinary symbolism & complex thought to the history of his own times—Erdman's meticulously documented study is the definitive treatment of this aspect of Blake's work.
"For our sense of Blake in his own times we are indebted to David Erdman more than anyone else."—Times Literary Supplement.

Genres: Poetry, History, Biography, Nonfiction, Literary Criticism, Politics, Art

624 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book constitutes what may be the definitive argument in favor of the thesis that much of William Blake's work had a political purpose and that his symbolism was substantially intended to refer, on the one hand, to events in his own time and, on the other, to historical events archetypically related to them. As such, it is a vital resource for Blake scholars and for readers seriously concerned about authorial intent. As such, it deserves highest regard--five stars in the Goodreads universe.

Sadly, I am neither a Blake scholar nor so well versed in his work as to be able to appreciate author Erdman's detailed arguments. I finished this book with general impressions which will serve to help me read Blake in the future, but the process was tedious and much of the discussion was over my head.

Although an argument, an argument often pointedly opposed to the interpretations of others, the book follows Blake's life and the political history of the period chronologically. This material I could appreciate, learning thereby more about the class struggle of the time and of Blake's association with progressive ideas and movements.

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed, nearly line by line contextualizing of the prophetic poems, like the Four Zoas. I couldn’t follow those poems really when I read them, so I learned a lot from this book. Blake flips the script often, angels for devils and vice versa plus characters he meant to be good guys, like Orc, were connected to historical events that didn’t play out happily so sometimes his good guys turn bad. Hunt, the editor who had a lot to do with Byron and Shelley, pops up here to destroy Blake’s exhibition and catalog. There’s some grounds for ‘what if’ type thinking. Most of that boils down to what if Blake had been wealthy like Hunt’s other Romantic poet pals? He might’ve been able to be more public and open about his politics and then Hunt would’ve understood better. I like Blake’s more humble roots, I think it’s part of what lends his work a more inspired, outsider feel compared to other famous British poets and artists of the period. But it’s hard rooting for a guy who isn’t going to get the recognition he deserves until it’s way too late.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive work on William Blake during the Romantic movement

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most significant work for historical approaches to the study of William Blake, but not the first.

[Carl Macki]

Thorough and insightful.

[Mark Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those works of scholarship that stands out & also stands the test of time. Even though some of the detail of Blake's life is understandably not as expansive as say in a biography like Peter Ackroyd's (the episode where Blake is charged with sedition for example could have done with more detail in relation to the repressive atmosphere of the time),Erdman places the poetry - especially the early "prophecies"- firmly in their historical context.

[Chris Balz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike any other book on Blake, this one tells it like it is. The rest seem, by comparison, to be mere academic "publish or perish", safe fluff.