The Lamb : Literary devices
The Lamb is a notable literary work by William Blake. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of The Lamb.
Literary devices
- Rhetorical Questions: The poem is filled with rhetorical questions. The structure frames the poem as a question in the first stanza and an answer in the second. The questions are a device to explore the nature of creation and the divine.
- Personification: While the lamb is an animal, Blake personifies it by attributing human qualities.
- Imagery: Blake uses vivid and simple imagery to paint a picture of the lamb and the pastoral setting in which it resides.
- Symbolism: The lamb is a powerful symbol in the poem, representing innocence and vulnerability. It is also a symbol of Christ.
- Repetition: Blake emphasizes repetition, particularly in the poem’s questions and answers. The repetition of phrases like “Little Lamb” and “who made thee” reinforces the central themes and ideas of the poem.
Symbols
- The Lamb: The Lamb symbolizes God’s divine creation and majesty. The lamb is also a symbol of Christ/God himself for God’s capacity for kindness and vulnerability.