Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The Lamb, from William Blake's Songs of Innocence, is a short but powerful poem that explores the nature of innocence and the relationship between the natural world and the divine. The poem takes the form of a simple question-and-answer dialogue, with the speaker asking the lamb about its origins and nature, and the lamb responding with a sense of wonder and innocence.

The poem begins with the speaker asking the lamb, "Little Lamb, who made thee? / Dost thou know who made thee?" The repetition of the question emphasizes the sense of curiosity and wonder that the speaker feels, as he contemplates the mystery of creation. The lamb responds, "He is called by thy name, / For he calls himself a Lamb." The lamb's response is both simple and profound, suggesting that the divine is not an abstract concept, but rather something that is intimately connected to the natural world.

The second stanza of the poem explores the relationship between the lamb and its creator: "He is called by thy name, / For he calls himself a Lamb. / He is meek, and he is mild, / He became a little child." The lamb's creator is described as meek and mild, suggesting a sense of gentleness and compassion, while the reference to him becoming a little child suggests a sense of vulnerability and innocence. The lamb's creator is not a distant and judgmental deity, but rather someone who is intimately connected to the natural world and who understands the innocence and vulnerability of all living things.

In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker asks the lamb if it knows who made the "stream and o'er the mead," and the lamb responds, "He is called by thy name, / For he calls himself a Lamb." The repetition of this line emphasizes the sense of connection between the natural world and the divine, while also suggesting that the divine is not a distant and abstract concept, but rather something that is intimately connected to the world around us.

The Lamb is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of innocence and the relationship between the natural world and the divine. The simple question-and-answer format of the poem creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, while the repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the sense of wonder and connection that the speaker feels. The poem as a whole suggests that the divine is not a distant and judgmental concept, but rather something that is intimately connected to the natural world and that understands the innocence and vulnerability of all living things. 

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