Take any one of Blake’s “Proverbs of Hell” and expand its significance by describing its relevance to life TODAY.
“The tygers of wrath are wiser than the horse of instruction”
Blake often uses his work as a means to address fundamental aspects of society and self, but what is most striking about his work, is its ability to transcend time and resonate within a future context. This notion is clearly present in Blake’s “Proverbs of Hell”, in particular the line “The tygers of wrath are wiser than the horse of instruction”. In a society where conformity is a thing of the past and individuals are encouraged to express their own uniqueness, Blake’s quote thrusts the individual into contemplation. What does he mean by “tygers of wrath…” and “… the horse of instruction”? How do these relate to wisdom and todays society? Upon asking myself these questions, it became clear that Blake uses animal imagery to convey the quotes meaning. Blakes deliberate use of the tiger symbolises individuality in the form of an undominable will; while his use of the image of a horse symbolises submissiveness and conformity. This image is further solidified when taking into account the inherent nature of both animals. Tigers are solitary animals, apex predators and overall one of the most majestic and powerful creatures on the plant. On the other hand, horses have been domesticated and used for whatever purpose mankind sees fit. It is because of these factors that Blake is able to develop these images to such an extent. Blake comments further on the idea of individuality and conformity by suggesting the tiger has greater wisdom than the horse. Overall, Blakes message in this excerpt is that despite those who walk their own path and do not conform to the will of others, are wiser than those who submit to the will of others. As stated before, we are currently in a society where individuality and the expression of said individuality is encouraged and accepted. Given our current social landscape, Blake’s excerpt holds extreme relevance as it epitomises the driving force behind our current society.
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