The Tyger: Did he who made the lamb make thee | William Blake

The Tyger: Did he who made the lamb make thee | William Blake

Q. ‘Did he who made the lamb make thee?’ Explain.

Answer: The above quoted line is taken from William Blake's poem "The Tyger." It is a rhetorical question that explores the nature of creation and the existence of both good and evil in the world.

"Did he who made the lamb make thee?" is an enigmatic question made by the speaker of the poem to the tiger. The lamb represents innocence, gentleness, and purity, while the tiger symbolizes power, ferocity, and the darker aspects of existence. By juxtaposing these two creatures, Blake raises profound philosophical and theological questions about the nature of creation.

The question implies that if the same creator is responsible for both the gentle lamb and the fearsome tiger, then how can such opposing forces coexist? It challenges the traditional understanding of a benevolent and all-powerful God who is solely associated with goodness and light. The poem wrestles with the paradox of a creator who seemingly encompasses both the beautiful and the terrifying aspects of the world.

Blake's inquiry explores the mystery of existence and the nature of divine creation. It suggests that the creator must possess a complex and multifaceted nature, capable of bringing forth both gentle innocence and fierce power. The question hints at the enigmatic and contradictory nature of God or the creative force behind the universe.

Moreover, an inherent duality of human nature can be seen in the line, "Did he who made the lamb make thee?" It acknowledges that within each individual, there exists both goodness and darkness, tenderness and ferocity. The line invites contemplation on the complexities of human existence and the coexistence of seemingly contradictory qualities within ourselves.

The poem also explores the idea of theodicy, the attempt to reconcile the existence of evil with the concept of a benevolent creator. By questioning the origin of the tiger's creation, Blake raises the age-old philosophical dilemma of why a benevolent deity would allow the existence of suffering, violence, and evil in the world.

Finally, the quoted line, "Did he who made the lamb make thee?" from  William Blake's poem "The Tyger" is a profound rhetorical question that explores the nature of creation, the coexistence of good and evil, and the complexities of human existence. It challenges conventional notions of a purely benevolent creator and reflects on the enigmatic and contradictory aspects of the world. The line invites contemplation on the mysteries of existence, the duality of human nature, and the philosophical dilemma of reconciling the presence of evil with the idea of a divine creator.

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