Clorinda Rescues Olindo Und Sophronte

Has the artistic and intellectual movement of the late 18th century ever intrigued you? Have you ever found yourself wanting to know more? Romanticism began by stressing strong emotion, imagination, rebellion against social constructs, and freedom from classical art forms. Romanticism is found in thousands of different pieces from this inspiring era, producing iconic pieces such as, "Clorinda Rescues Olindo und Sophroni" by French painter Eugène Delacroix or “Episode of the Belgian Revolution of 1830” by Egide Charles Gustave Wappers. Other monumental pieces in literature from this time period include, “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and “Wuthering Heights” written by Emily Jane Brontë. Many scholars would say this artistic era was one of

Blake focuses on religion, because of the discrepancy of the topic during this era. Perhaps this was an attempt at being controversial, or it was genuine ideologies that led the writer into an exotic, yet remote state of mind. He writes, “he is called by thy name… For he calls himself a Lamb (lines 13-14).” In the Bible, Jesus Christ is referred to the child and the lamb. In this sense, God is offering Jesus as a sacrifice to humanity, rather than humans offering a sacrifice to God. This is, of course, a form of mythology that adds mystery to the poem. Romanticism was focused on art, intelligence, passion and internal struggles. Religion is unknown and requires a great amount of blind faith. These beliefs enlighten a spiritual connection between man and a higher being. Romanticism emphasized on finding a gateway to a transcendent experience and spiritual truth, which Blake believed could be found through religion. This is not the only tenet found in this poem, however. Not only did Blake exemplify religion, but he incorporated innocence

This could also relate back to the first book of the Bible when Adam and Eve had fallen victim to the serpent and God had punished them with a sense of awareness. Then, God provided the two with ‘clothing,’ for they were aware of their nakedness. At this point, Adam and Eve had lost their innocence, which is what Blake is displaying here. Blake also writes, “”Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?” The lamb is innocent to who its creator is. Perhaps, the lamb does not truly know. At what age do we inform children of different beliefs or ideologies? The questioning of creationism is a sign of growth and cultural awareness, which is also acknowledged in the depths of Romanticism.

Both innocence and religion are strongly shown through William Blake’s “The Lamb.” Religion is the more prevalent tenet, but innocence is almost just as important. Examples of both are easily found throughout the work, making it effortless to identify the two. Blake voices the depths of Romanticism through the tenets of religion and innocence. The pair of tenets go hand-in-hand with one another. The loss of innocence inevitably leads to a sort spiritual truth to carry the lasting sins of