Structure and Rhyme Scheme
(aa bb cc dd)
The poem consists of six stanzas.
Examples Figures of Speech and Allusions
Alliteration: Tiger, tiger, burning bright(line 1);frame thy fearful symmetry?
Metaphor: Comparison of the tiger and his eyes to fire.
The Tiger
By William Blake
1
Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
Stanza 1 Summary
The poet speaks about the tiger and describes its strength. The tiger has bright eyes and shining fur in the forest at night.
The poet expresses his admire that the God who created the gentle lamb also created the tiger.
2
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
Stanza 2 Summary
Deeps appears to refer to hell and skies to heaven. If the tiger had wings, how could he get so close to the fire. And no one can dream to catch such a fast animal.
3
And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?
Stanza 3 Summary
The poet speaks about the tiger and describes its strength. What strength (shoulder) and crafts براعة (art) could make the tiger's heart?
4
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
Stanza 4 Summary
The poet describes the courage and the strength of the tiger if he feels danger. What kind of tool (hammer) did he use. It makes hammered if he runs.
5
When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?
Stanza 5 Summary
When the stars shine they send their light on the new being and the clouds cried to give water to the earth. the poet says how the same God who made the lamb could make the tiger
6
Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?