Two for Tuesday (Comics and Happy Birthday William Blake)

Posted on by Prior...

Hello blog readers. Today I have two comics for a “Two for Tuesday” post.

 

 

 

Both comics are by illustrator Edward Frascino. I think they are from the 1970s.

I really like Frascino’s loose lines and style. I could not find out that much information about him, but Jacketflap (here) noted that Edward Frascino was a published author and illustrator of comics and books (he illustrated numerous E.B. White stories).

Today – November 28th, is William Blake’s birthday, and because the comic mentions Blake, let’s end this post with two samples of Blake’s poetry (from Leonrado-newtonic):

#1 Holy Thursday

This poem, Holy Thursday, is from a collection of Songs of Experience. “Blake focuses more on society as a whole than on the ceremony. The theme of this poem is the hypocrisy of formal religion and its claimed acts of charity while children are still “reduced to misery”.

Excerpt from Holy Thursday:

And their sun does never shine,

And their fields are bleak and bare,

And their ways are filled with thorns:

It is eternal winter there.

#2 The Sick Rose

There are numerous interpretations of the Sick Rose and it “remains one of the most popular poems of Blake for its perplexing symbolism and various interpretations.”

The Sick Rose

O Rose thou art sick.

The invisible worm,

That flies in the night

In the howling storm:

Has found out thy bed

Of crimson joy:

And his dark secret love

Does thy life destroy.

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Brief Blake BIO:

Blake was a nonconformist artist (writer and painter) who hung out with the radical thinkers of his day. In one poem Blake wrote, “I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.”

Blake wanted to create poetry that could be understood by common people, while at the same time “he was determined not to sacrifice his vision in order to become popular.” And Blake never did experience popularity or fame during his lifetime. (And I think readers know how I feel about this – in my humble opinion, sometimes “not” getting fame can help artists keep their art flowing properly – it depends on the person – but many times fame, wealth, and power can “funk” a person up – not always – but sometimes.)

Anyhow, Blake’s final years were spent in poverty, but with a circle of supportive artist friends, while he worked diligently on illustrations for Dante‘s Divine Comedy. 

To read more famous poems by Blake – go here.

Have a great day.

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33 thoughts on “Two for Tuesday (Comics and Happy Birthday William Blake)”

  5. I definitely do not quite get “The Sick Rose”. I think I understand the “Holy Thursday” much clearer. I agreed with you about not getting fame can help than attempt to get fame or money.

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    1. Hi – well I guess there are multiple takes on what the sick rose could mean
      – some say it might refer to sex – (and a cheater has corrupted the bed and will have bad consequences) or could refer to a secret that snuck into someone’s life and is now poisoning from within (and the bed is the most restful of all places and so this secret disrupts his ability to refresh and restore – for the man who cannot sleep cannot stay well)

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  8. The poem about the sick rose reminds me of my rose garden in South Africa, although it was the aphids that were the pest, rather than the worms. Both excerpts are rather sad. 😦 Happy Birthday to Mr. Blake.

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    1. Hi S – they do have a sad feel – don’t they = i did not mean that – I just picked two real quick like – (and maybe later I can try to find some more upbeat ones)
      also
      I like the way you interpreted the poem to be “literal” – because sometimes writers mean the direct message and we readers start to find other meanings….
      and maybe Blake and his pals were tired of the very small nematode pests (cos they can damage) like the aphids can – and those ants sometimes devour roses….

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  10. Yvette, this is a wonderful post! The first comic drawing had me in laughter…how true! I love learning more about Blake, I’ve saved the quote in my notebook, just brilliant as are the poems. A great article and joy to read…nourishment for the mind and soul! 😀❤️

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