The Tyger
William Blake Written: 1794 • Published: 1794
This poem is in the public domain and may be freely reproduced.
Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies. Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain, In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp, Dare its deadly terrors clasp!
When the stars threw down their spears And water’d heaven with their tears: Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Curator's Note
Blake's most famous poem poses the central theological question: if God created gentle innocence (the Lamb), did the same creator forge fearsome power (the Tyger)? The relentless rhythm and hammer-like repetition mirror a blacksmith at work, forging something both beautiful and terrifying. This companion piece to 'The Lamb' explores the paradox of a creator who makes both good and evil, innocence and experience.
Related Poems
1877
1922
1915
1902