The Fly Poem by William Blake

 Hello Everyone,

I am Hinaba Sarvaiya. This blog is based on my UG syllabus. This blog is based on William Blake's poem The Fly.

About Poet:-

William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, artist, and visionary who is considered one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era. His works explore the themes of spirituality, imagination, and the human condition, and his unique style and use of symbolism have made him a highly influential figure in the world of poetry and art.

The fly poem by William Blake explanation:- 

William Blake's "The Fly" is a short, four-stanza poem that explores the fleeting nature of human existence through the death of a common house fly. In the first stanza, the speaker asks the fly, "Little Fly, / Thy summer's play / My thoughtless hand / Has brushed away." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the brevity of the fly's life and the ease with which it can be taken away.

The second stanza contrasts the fleeting nature of the fly's life with the speaker's own sense of timelessness. The speaker muses, "Am not I / A fly like thee? / Or art not thou / A man like me?" This comparison highlights the idea that all living creatures are subject to the same inevitability of death, regardless of their size or importance.

In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the fragility of life and the importance of seizing the moment. He asks, "For I dance / And drink and sing, / Till some blind hand / Shall brush my wing." Here, the speaker acknowledges that his own life, like that of the fly, is temporary and that he should make the most of it while he can.

The final stanza of the poem concludes with a haunting image of the fly's struggle for life, as it tries to free itself from a spider's web. The speaker observes, "And when I'm laid in earth, / May my poor soul / Be on its way / To God." Here, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death and the hope that one's soul will be released to a higher power after passing.

Overall, "The Fly" is a poignant meditation on the fleeting nature of human existence and the importance of living life to the fullest. Through the death of a small, insignificant creature, Blake draws attention to the larger themes of mortality and the human condition.

Theme in poem

The main theme of William Blake's poem "The Fly" is the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. Through the metaphor of a fly, which the speaker has thoughtlessly swatted, the poem explores the brevity of life and the ease with which it can be taken away. The speaker reflects on the transience of human existence, acknowledging that all living creatures are subject to the same fate.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the importance of living in the moment and making the most of one's time. The speaker contrasts his own sense of timelessness with the brief life of the fly, suggesting that we should not take our own lives for granted. The final stanza of the poem also touches on the idea of the afterlife and the hope that one's soul will be released to a higher power after death.

Overall, "The Fly" is a meditation on the impermanence of life and the importance of living fully in the present moment. It is a reminder that our time on earth is limited and that we should make the most of the time we have.