I was fascinated by “The Sick Rose,” finding both the poem and the plates to be hauntingly beautiful. Despite its brevity, it seems to embody the theme of the Songs of Experience which is the corruption of innocence. The poem contains sexual imagery to suggest corruption, as well as the image of the worm, which calls to mind the destructive snake in the Fall of Man.
In the plates, the rose bends around the entire frame, completely surrounding the text of the poem, giving a full visual effect. The rose is characterized not by its beauty or its petals, but by the multitude of thorns on its stem, and the unkempt, tangled leaves. Two figures lie on the sharp stems looking sick and in despair. In continuing with the Fall imagery, they could represent Adam and Eve, and the torment of human corruption. A third figure is also seen, bursting out of the center of the flower, with the worm wrapped around her waist. This seems to show the act of corruption taking place, and it also portrays some of the sexual imagery that is seen in the poem. The facial expression of the figure is very hard to read, but in most of the plates it looks joyous. Perhaps this represents the “crimson joy” (6) and surrounded by the “dark secret love” (7) that will bring destruction to her at any moment, at once showing the excitement and the devastation that come with corruption.
The plates themselves range from muted, pastel colors that make the scene seem almost pleasing (Copy V and E, especially) to darker and more grotesque images. The sharp contrasts of Copy R and the dark gloom of Copy T seemed to fit my personal view of the poem’s mood, while I also thought that the yellowed, sick-looking Copy B was successful. One point of interest was that all of the roses were some form of red, except for Copy Y, which has a pure white rose, which I actually think is appropriate for the idea of innocence. The worm in this picture is also white, maybe suggesting that corruption comes from innocence or playing off the idea of the “invisible worm” (2) that has been hiding within the rose all along.
This is a very interesting analysis of the poem. However, I am note sure where you see the image of two people on the rose. What do you think the significance of the storm is in terms of foreshadow? What is Blake arguing about the future through the assumed future of the rose (death).
ReplyDeleteThinking about Carly’s post, I think it is interesting how the plates change the perception of the poem. When reading a poem, like “The Sick Rose,” the reader is able to develop one interpretation based on the words alone. When the picture is added, the reader can evoke a different feeling or emotion based on the picture itself and the coloring. Changing the colors gives the author versatility perhaps to depict the changing feelings portrayed over time. I also agree that the white rose is a better depiction of innocence and the worm also being white reminded me of the apple in the garden of Eden with the snake, who leads to the fall from grace.
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