The Angel
By William Blake
I dreamt a dream! What can it mean?
And that I was a maiden Queen
Guarded by an Angel mild:
Witless woe was ne’er beguiled!And I wept both night and day,
And he wiped my tears away;
And I wept both day and night,
And hid from him my heart’s delight.So he took his wings, and fled;
Then the morn blushed rosy red.
I dried my tears, and armed my fears
With ten thousand shields and spears.Soon my Angel came again;
I was armed, he came in vain;
For the time of youth was fled,
And grey hairs were on my head.
Summary of The Angel
- Publication history: “The Angel” first appeared in William Blake’s Songs of Innocence in 1789. It was later included in the combined collection Songs of Innocence and Experience published in 1794. The poem is a tender meditation on innocence, protection, and the quiet loss of youthful reliance.
- Spiritual imagery: The narrator imagines herself as a maiden queen under the watchful care of an angel. The poem uses this setting to explore the way a child or a young person depends on a higher presence for comfort, and how that dependence gradually gives way to self‑confidence.
- Key themes: Innocence and its erosion, protection and the eventual shift to self‑reliance, and the subtle questioning of whether divine guidance remains needed as one grows older. The poem ends with the angel’s return being met with a prepared, confident voice that suggests maturity has replaced the need for external guardianship.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in The Angel
Blake’s poem employs a range of literary techniques that enhance its lyrical quality and deepen its emotional resonance.
- Assonance: The repetition of the /ee/ sound in “I dreamt a dream! What can it mean?” and the /oo/ sound in “So he took his wings.” creates a musical flow that mirrors the dreamlike atmosphere.
- Anaphora: The repeated use of the word “And” at the beginning of several lines emphasizes the cyclical nature of the narrator’s actions and the angel’s constant presence.
- Consonance: The repeated /t/ sound in “With ten thousand shields and spears” gives weight to the narrator’s resolve.
- Enjambment: Lines such as “I dried my tears, and armed my fears / With ten thousand shields and spears” allow the thought to move fluidly from one line to the next, reinforcing the idea of a swift shift from vulnerability to preparedness.
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions – “he wiped my tears away,” “the morn blushed rosy red” – engage the reader’s senses and evoke a sense of comfort and hope.
- Metaphor: The angel represents divine guidance, while the shields and spears symbolize the narrator’s growing self‑reliance. The entire narrative can be read as an allegory for the journey from dependence to independence.
- Rhetorical question: The opening line “I dreamt a dream! What can it mean?” invites the reader into the poem’s mysterious world without seeking a literal answer.
- Symbolism: The angel, the protective shields, and the transition from youth to maturity all serve symbolic functions that underscore the universal experience of growing up.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in The Angel
Blake also makes use of several poetic techniques that give the poem its distinctive structure and musicality.
- Diction: The language is simple yet evocative, creating a gentle, almost lullaby‑like tone.
- End Rhyme: The poem’s rhyme scheme varies. While the second stanza follows an AABB pattern, other stanzas employ different arrangements, giving the poem an organic, free‑flowing feel.
- Quatrain: Each stanza is a quatrain, a four‑line structure that provides a sense of balance and rhythm throughout the poem.
- Stanza Structure: The poem is divided into four quatrains, each building on the last to advance the narrative and deepen the thematic exploration.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines offer insight into the complexity of human emotion and the tendency to present a façade.
“And I wept both night and day,
And he wiped my tears away;
And I wept both day and night,
And hid from him my heart’s delight.”
These lines reveal a subtle duplicity in the narrator’s actions. They suggest that the tears are not always genuine, and that the narrator deliberately conceals her true feelings. This ambiguity adds depth to the poem’s exploration of human emotion and the challenge of authentic connection.