Student’s Name: ___________________________
Ms. McKnight
English IV-class period: ____
Today’s Date: _______________________
Romantic Poetry: “The Lamb” and “The Tyger”
Directions: As you read and analyze William Blake’s poems: “The Lamb,” on page 770 and “The Tyger,” on page 774 of
your Literature book, answer the following questions. This assignment is due at the end of class.
“The Lamb”
1. In lines 13-18, Blake uses the symbol of the lamb to connect the poem’s three characters. What is he suggesting about
the relationship between them?
2. What does Blake emphasize through the use of repetition? Cite evidence to support your answer.
3. What is Blake’s tone in this poem?
“The Tyger”
4. What troubling aspects of creation does the tiger represent? What words and phrases in the first stanza indicate this
symbolism?
5. How does Blake’s tone in lines 17-20 differ from the tone used to discuss creating in “The Lamb”?
6. What does Blake emphasize through the use of repetition? Cite evidence to support your answer.
7. How does Blake employ the “night/light” contrast in the poem?
8. Finally, write two well-developed paragraphs in response to one of the following questions: (Make sure to CIRCLE
the question you chose. You may write on the back of this handout, if need be.)

What can people learn from Nature?

How does War change our values?

Is Emotion stronger than reason?

When is the Ordinary extraordinary?