Romanticism - The Poison Tree

"Describe three major characteristics of the sub-genre that you chose and apply that knowledge to one of the poems in your sub-genre reader."

~The Poison Tree~

William Blake

I was angry with my friend; 

I told my wrath, my wrath did end. 

I was angry with my foe: 

I told it not, my wrath did grow. 

And I waterd it in fears, 

Night & morning with my tears: 

And I sunned it with smiles, 

And with soft deceitful wiles. 

And it grew both day and night. 

Till it bore an apple bright. 

And my foe beheld it shine, 

And he knew that it was mine. 

And into my garden stole, 

When the night had veild the pole; 

In the morning glad I see; 

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

          The Romantic Era, or Romanticism was an artistic literary movement which lasted from the mid 17th century to the late 18th century. A few major characteristics in Romantic poetry are feelings and emotions, reverence to nature, and individualism. 

          The theme of nature is visible throughout The Poison Tree. Blake compares his wrath to a plant, and he "watered" it with fears and tears. Throughout the rest of the poem Blake continues to cultivate his wrath with his emotions and feelings. Metaphors are present in The Poison Tree, and are important in connecting his emotions to nature. Individual expression is also common in poetry from the Romantic Era. Throughout the poem Blake speaks in the 'I' voice expressing emotions and feelings.