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17 pages 34 minutes read

William Blake

The Tyger

William BlakeFiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1794

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Literary Devices

Form and Meter

“The Tyger'' follows a formal structure with six stanzas of four lines, all mostly end-stopped. Its syllabic structure is consistent, although it varies randomly between seven and eight syllables per line. Almost every complete sentence is a question. This pattern of questioning projects a tone of mystery and doubt, which represents the divine mystery of God and the creation of the universe. The poem’s consistency reflects the perfection of God’s work and Blake’s mastery of language. Like God’s creations, the poem is deliberate and in order, aligning itself with traditional forms in poetry instead of an unconventional approach. The poem showcases its symmetry and artistic skill, which the poem claims are key components of the creative process.

Rhyme

The poem is written in couplets, following an AABB rhyme scheme, and each stanza has its own pair of rhymes that follow the scheme. The reliable rhyme maintains the poem’s momentum, facilitating recitation and memorization. Rhyme increases accessibility in poetry, and almost none of the rhymes in this poem are slant rhymes, or rhymes that aren’t quite perfect. In addition to adding a lyrical quality to the poem, the