Final Draft of Poem Essay

The Grandeur of God

“God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins introduces God’s glory through his creation, and in support “The Tyger” by William Blake, uses an example of the hand of God that exemplifies spirituality. Through both poems, a common issue arises that seeks to point out religion as a connecting factor while utilizing the creation itself. The prevalence of religion as an attribute of both poems allows the simple words to make a humongous impact on the way people perceive the work of God.

The content of “God’s Grandeur” defines the strength of the natural environment since the beginning of time as it defeats opponents of various generations. In the beauty of nature, a constant battle emerges from those who want to use it for their own benefit and God who watches over it, “Generations have trod, have trod, have trod” (Hopkins 5). This simple use of repetition expresses the severity of men’s power over this world. His creation turned to beaten ground, is overwhelmed by the non-stop approach of the abuse of nature. However, no matter how long nature is in persecution through the passing of time, God’s grandeur shines through the darkness to reveal an everlasting beauty. As darkness covers part of nature, there is the light in another, “Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, spring ---Because the Holy Ghost over the bent” (Hopkins 12-13). The presence of God is able to bring protection in the worst of situations where He shows His passion for His creation no matter what happens. Nature in a sense, believes in the deliverance of its distress by knowing that God is the creator of all things and is in control. While nature is a vast topic that involves numerous living organisms, Blake delves into the power of one specific being.

One of God’s specific works lies in the meaning of “The Tyger”, where God makes every living organism, whether fierce or calm. Blake uses the method of his lines being various questions that imply a speculation of God. A line within the poem expresses the awesomeness of God’s ability to do great things, “Did He who made the lamb make thee” (Blake 20)? The lamb symbolizes a creature of God that shows innocence and safety while on the other hand, the tiger blares with ferocity and even danger. Looking into this one animal allows one to think about the power of God and how He is the reason everything is what it is now. Acknowledging God’s grandeur, the introduction and conclusion gives insight to all the amazing things God is able to accomplish. From start to finish, the tiger remains as the main focus of the poem releasing a sense of spirituality, “Tyger, Tyger, burning bright – In the forests of the night – What immortal hand or eye – Dare frame thy fearful symmetry” (Blake 21-24)? By contrasting the brightness of the tiger and the night, Blake gives an invitation to visualize this particular moment of power. God’s spirituality flows through the tiger giving it this distinction from its surroundings making it the center of a religious symbol.

In connection with each other, both pieces of poetry offer various interpretations of the context at hand. The presence of God seems to be guarding and watching over His creation as time passes on and on, “Because the Holy Ghost over the bent” (Hopkins 13). Giving God one of the names that He goes by, nature can bathe in His spirit in a sense that God is always there. Within nature, one gets the feeling of security while this “spirit” flows throughout every living thing. Each poem acknowledges God as someone who is able to show His emotion for all His work, allowing both Hopkins and Blake to reference a religious connection. As Blake’s poem progresses on, the emotion of God is clearly shown, “Did He smile His work to see” (Blake 19). Blake uses a simple word to help one visualize God viewing His creation, which is smile, making sure that one knows God is happy. “The Tyger” utilizes an animal to symbolize nature’s active movements and an animated creature. Blake and Hopkins made these two poems as a conviction expressing the amazing beauty of nature and it’s importance.

These poems are able to make use of religion to connect the powerfulness of nature throughout history. One uses nature as a whole, and the other specifies one creature that symbolizes power in order to overcome the mistreatment of nature. The creator and the creation, interweave in life to portray the lasting message of God’s grandeur.