Writer and religious rebel, William Blake sowed the seeds of Romanticism
in his innovative poems concerning faith and the vision that inspired
him throughout his remarkable life. Whether describing his own
spirituality, the innocence of youth, or the corruption caused by
mankind, his writings depict a world in which spirits dominate and the
mind is the gateway to Heaven. Presenting many of Blake's major works in
their complete texts, alongside extensive passages from such poems as
Jerusalem and The Gates of Paradise, this collection spans his entire
poetic life, from the exquisite lyrics of Poetic Sketches to Songs
of Innocence and Experience--a compelling exploration of good and
evil. Together, they illuminate a self-made realm that has fascinated
artists and poets as diverse as Wordsworth, Coleridge, Yeats, and
Ginsberg. This is the perfect introduction to Blake's unforgettable
poetry.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of
classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700
titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works
throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the
series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and
notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as
up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.