The Tyger, by William Blake,

The Symbolic Meaning of The Tiger

The Tyger, by William Blake, is one of the poet's most famous group of

verses. The Tyger is one of the \"Songs of Experience\" that explores the presence of violence and destruction in a world made by God, a benevolent entity.

Why does the poet mention the lamb? Most of learners believe that Blake mention the Lamb, the counterpart of the Tyger as they are the same in that they are both part of god's creation. They are both equally important tools of nature, the lamb and the tyger, however they also are different. The lamb represents innocence, youth, and pleasant aspect of nature, but the tyger is representing the more powerful, fearful part of nature. In poet’s eyes the Tyger is beautiful in a more experienced light, yet the Lamb is seen in a more childish, cute fashion.

According to above, I think the lamb and the tiger can not illuminate each other. In the stanzas, the speaker explores the frightful creature was formed by a winged being closely associated with fire –Satan.The lamb was the God, their relationship likes evil or goodness, distant deep or sky（heaven）. So I think they are enemy.

The tiger, of course, is symbolic. It could stand for evil, in general, or it could allude to the powerful forces of Nature. For example, a tiger is beautiful, powerful, and agile, but it also is fear and death. Nature itself shares similar

characteristics. Water is a natural element, required for sustaining life, but when water is uncontrolled, it can cause devastating floods. We can say the same about fire and wind. In a words, the tiger symbolizes the mob mentality - humans out of control, bent on death and destruction

The most likely symbolic meaning of Blake's tiger, however, is the nature of mankind and his capacity for evil. Blake was probably alluding to the spirit of revolution that was sweeping the western world.