The Tyger
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Form
The poem utilizes a six stanza form, with rhyming couplets. The meter is regular.
Commentary
The poem is about the creation of a tiger, a majestic and beautiful beast. From the outset, the speaker asks what creator would dare to form such a powerful creature? The main emotion is awe; awe and wonder at a creator that would dare and would be capable of creating such a violent beast. What does the existence of such beats tell us about the nature of our world and God? Further questions from the speaker build upon his initial point. Each added question evokes wonder and awe from the reader, painting a vivid picture of an almighty and powerful creator. Though the tiger is mighty, the creator must have been infinitely more powerful in order to bring to life such a cruel animal.
The mention of the lamb creates an interesting juxtaposition. The contrast between the fierce lion and tame lamb is great, yet both were created by the same creator. This lends even more power and mystery to almighty God as a being of incredible power infinitely more varied than the human mind can comprehend.
The mention of the lamb creates an interesting juxtaposition. The contrast between the fierce lion and tame lamb is great, yet both were created by the same creator. This lends even more power and mystery to almighty God as a being of incredible power infinitely more varied than the human mind can comprehend.