The Works of William Blake

The Works of William Blake: Poetic, Symbolic and Critical is a three-volume commentary published in 1893 by Bernard Quaritch. The work represents a collaboration between poets Edwin John Ellis and William Butler Yeats, who together created the first comprehensive interpretation of Blake's complete works. The volumes contain reproductions of Blake's illustrated prophetic books and the first publication of his manuscript Vala, or The Four Zoas. This collection marked a shift in Blake scholarship by emphasizing his prophetic works over his earlier poetry, setting a new direction for future Blake studies. These books combine biographical information with extensive analysis of Blake's symbols and artistic techniques. The editors connect Blake's work to esoteric traditions and mystical philosophies, particularly those that interested Yeats through his involvement with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The interpretation presented in these volumes reveals the deep connections between Blake's visionary artistry and the occult traditions that would later influence modernist poetry. This approach establishes Blake as a pivotal figure bridging Romantic and esoteric literary traditions.

This 1893 scholarly edition of Blake's works receives limited reader reviews online, making it difficult to assess broad reader sentiment. Available reviews focus on its historical significance more than readability. Readers appreciate: - Yeats' interpretations and commentary on Blake's mysticism - Inclusion of rare Blake materials and manuscripts - Detailed annotations and background context - High-quality reproductions of Blake's artwork Common criticisms: - Dense academic language that can be hard to follow - Dated Victorian writing style - Some inaccurate transcriptions of Blake's texts - High price of original editions The book has no ratings on Goodreads or Amazon. WorldCat libraries list it as an important scholarly resource but reader reviews are scarce. Academic citations praise its historical value while noting its limitations as a modern reference. The Blake Quarterly notes it was "superseded by later editions but remains important for understanding how Blake was interpreted in the 1890s."

The Life of William Blake by Alexander Gilchrist Chronicles Blake's life and work through firsthand accounts and presents the foundation for understanding his artistic development in relation to his biographical context.

Prophet Against Empire: A Poet's Interpretation of the History of His Own Times by David V. Erdman Examines Blake's work through the lens of political and social history, connecting his symbolism to the revolutionary movements of his era.

Blake: Prophet Against Empire by David V. Erdman Provides detailed analysis of Blake's mythological system and its relationship to historical events, offering insights into the political dimensions of his prophecies.

William Blake and the Age of Revolution by Jacob Bronowski Explores Blake's artistic and poetic innovations within the context of 18th-century scientific and philosophical developments.

Blake's Apocalypse: A Study in Poetic Argument by Harold Bloom Traces the development of Blake's prophetic vision through close readings of his major works and their relationship to religious and mystical traditions.

🔹 The book took an unprecedented 4 years to complete and contained the first-ever published reproductions of Blake's mysterious "Prophetic Books," making Blake's esoteric work accessible to the general public. 🔹 W.B. Yeats was so deeply influenced by working on Blake's mystical writings that it shaped his own poetry, particularly his use of symbolism and supernatural themes in collections like "The Wind Among the Reeds." 🔹 The authors' interpretation of Blake as a mystic rather than a madman helped transform his public image from that of an eccentric outsider to a respected visionary artist - a reputation that endures today. 🔹 This work marked the first publication of Blake's epic poem "Vala, or The Four Zoas," a complex mythological piece that remained in manuscript form for nearly a century after his death. 🔹 Despite some biographical inaccuracies, this three-volume collection revolutionized Blake scholarship by approaching his work through an esoteric lens rather than a purely literary one, establishing a new framework for studying his art and poetry.