Europe, a Prophecy (1969)

Title

Europe, a Prophecy (1969)

Original Date:

1794

Facsimile Date:

1969

Publisher:

Trianon Press

Physical Description:

17 color plates ; 36 cm.

Background Information:

This work was composed in 1794; copies B and G, from which this facsimile was made, were produced in the same year. It was purchased by the Friends of the Union College Library in 1969.

Student Commentary:

Overview: This poem is a prophecy about revolution, similar to Blake’s America, but it has a much more feminine perspective. It centers on Enitharmon, the first female who was created from the tears and blood of Los. She summons all of her sons and daughters to a crystal house and calls upon them to “awake the thunders of the deep.” Enitharmon raises a feminist battle cry that “women, lovely women, have dominion.” She lists all of the accomplishments of her many children before settling into a deep slumber for several centuries. While she is in the midst of her hibernation, Europe’s heavens become divided between her children and Albion’s angels. This conflict eventually produces an apocalyptic landscape filled with flames and darkness. The poem ends with Enitharmon and Los unleashing furious cries for their families to take up arms. - Jessica Rosenthal '18.

Commentary by Peter Gorvitz '04 from a Student Exhibit, 2003

Links

Book at the William Blake Archive

Find this Book in Schaffer Library

Source

William Blake@Union Digital Collection