Blake despised traditional religion as he felt it oppressed individuals’ ability to think freely and encouraged mindless conformity instead; this sentiment is reflected in several poems including “The Garden of Love” which speaks out against organized faith. Additionally, he believed that government systems should require people to be accountable for their actions rather than just blindly following orders handed down from above – particularly when those orders were oppressive in nature (like with taxation without representation).
1) What does William Blake think of the English society of his time? Your essay may include commentary on his attitude to religion, government, racism, the burgeoning industrial age, and/or anything else you consider relevant. 2) Discuss the political implications of Shelley’s “Ozymandias.
Shelley\’s \”Ozymandias\” is a sonnet written about an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh whose hubris led him to build an enormous monument depicting himself as invincible only for it later become one among ruins after years had passed by—a warning about hubris & impermanence despite seeming strength/power today. From a political perspective, Shelley used this poem as means of critiquing contemporary leaders who seemed omnipotent yet would eventually suffer similar fates due unchecked ambition/greed regardless of whether they ruled over nations or empires alike. Therefore its message could be seen as relevant even today given how corruptible power can be when placed into few hands or concentrated instead shared amongst many – acting not just as reminder that all rulers are mortal but also cautionary tale illustrating dangers associated with vanity & arrogance no matter how high one might climb up proverbial ladder over course time.