"If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is: infinite."
— Blake, William (1757-1827)
Author
Work Title
Publisher
William Blake
Date
1790, 1794, 1795, 1818, 1827
Metaphor
"If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is: infinite."
Metaphor in Context
The ancient tradition that the world will be consumed in fire at the end of six thousand years is true. as I have heard from Hell.
For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at the tree of life, and when he does, the whole creation will be consumed, and appear infinite. and holy whereas it now appears finite & corrupt.
This will come to pass by an improvement of sensual enjoyment.
But first the notion that man has a body distinct from his soul, is to be expunged; this I shall do, by printing in the infernal method, by corrosives, which in Hell are salutary and medicinal, melting apparent surfaces away, and displaying the infinite which was hid.
If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is: infinite.
For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.
(Plate 14)
For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at the tree of life, and when he does, the whole creation will be consumed, and appear infinite. and holy whereas it now appears finite & corrupt.
This will come to pass by an improvement of sensual enjoyment.
But first the notion that man has a body distinct from his soul, is to be expunged; this I shall do, by printing in the infernal method, by corrosives, which in Hell are salutary and medicinal, melting apparent surfaces away, and displaying the infinite which was hid.
If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is: infinite.
For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.
(Plate 14)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
Reading William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (New York: Dover, 1994).
Link to the William Blake Archive <Marriage of Heaven and Hell>
Link to the William Blake Archive <Marriage of Heaven and Hell>
Date of Entry
04/25/2013
