Poem Analysis - The Book Of Urizen Chapter 6

Introduction: A Descent into Division

William Blake's "The Book of Urizen: Chapter 6" plunges us into a chaotic and disturbing vision of creation, or rather, a fall from unity. The poem details the birth of a human child, not as a joyous event, but as a traumatic fracture within eternity. The tone is initially one of pity and longing, quickly turning to horror and despair. A sense of irreversible loss permeates the text as the eternals witness and participate in a process of fragmentation.

The Womb of Division: A Loss of Wholeness

One of the central themes is the division of the self and the consequent suffering. This is symbolized through the separation of Los and the Female, who likely represents a divided aspect of himself, or perhaps, a separation of imagination and reason. The line "Man begetting his likeness, On his own divided image" encapsulates this theme perfectly. It suggests that humanity's existence stems from a fundamental splitting, a mirroring of fractured wholeness. This divided state results in pain, represented by the worm within Enitharmon's womb, a symbol of corruption and suffering generated by the separation.

From Worm to Shadow: The Birth of Imperfection

The poem vividly develops the theme of the fall from eternity into mortality. The transformation of the worm into a serpent and then into a human infant represents a descent into a degraded form of existence. The serpent, with its "dolorous hissings & poisons," symbolizes the introduction of negativity and corruption into the world. The eventual birth of the "man Child," described as a "Human shadow," signifies a diminished and imperfect version of the eternal beings. This shadow is born amidst "sharp pangs," "many sorrows," and "dismal throes," highlighting the pain inherent in this transition to a limited, mortal state.

The Tent of Eternity: Confined Existence

The image of the "tent" is a recurring symbol, representing confinement and limitation. The Eternals initially "erect the tent," suggesting an attempt to create order and structure within the chaos. However, the birth of the human child and its associated horrors leads them to abandon this endeavor. They "closed the tent" and "beat down the stakes," signifying a retreat from their creative work and an acceptance of the fallen state. The tent then becomes a symbol of the limited, material world, a far cry from the boundlessness of eternity. The line "No more Los beheld Eternity" emphasizes the consequence of this enclosure – a loss of vision and connection to the divine.

Springs of Sorrow: A Baptism into Suffering

The vivid image of Los bathing the infant in "springs of sorrow" is particularly striking. This act suggests a baptism into the suffering and limitations of human existence. Instead of a cleansing ritual, it is an immersion in the pain that defines the fallen world. Could the "springs of sorrow" also represent empathy or a profound understanding of the child's inevitable suffering? This image raises questions about the role of compassion in a world marked by division and pain.

Conclusion: An Echo of Loss

"The Book of Urizen: Chapter 6" is a bleak and powerful exploration of the consequences of division and the fall into mortality. Through vivid imagery and symbolic representation, Blake paints a picture of a creation marked by suffering, limitation, and loss. The poem's significance lies in its unflinching depiction of the pain inherent in the human condition and its questioning of the nature of existence itself. The "Human shadow" born from the womb of eternity is not a triumph but a tragedy, a chilling reminder of the fractured nature of reality.