Imagery: Blake uses powerful and vivid imagery to create a sense of awe and terror. Examples include:
* "Burning bright": This phrase, repeated throughout the poem, evokes the tiger's fiery nature and the intensity of its presence.
* "Frame thy fearful symmetry": This line suggests the tiger's powerful and symmetrical form, which is both beautiful and frightening.
* "Could frame thy fearful symmetry": This line points to the complexity and precision of the tiger's design, hinting at the power of the creator.
* "Could twist the sinews of thy heart": This line evokes the tiger's ferocious strength and the brutality of its instincts.
Symbolism: The tiger itself is a symbol of many things, including:
* The power of nature: The tiger's wildness and untamed beauty represent the forces of nature that can both awe and terrify.
* The creative power of God: The poem questions how God could create something so ferocious, suggesting both the power and the mystery of creation.
* The duality of human nature: The tiger's beauty and ferocity can be seen as reflecting the contradictory aspects of human nature, which can be both good and evil.
Repetition: Blake uses repetition of key phrases and words, such as "burning bright," "could frame," and "could twist," to create a hypnotic effect and emphasize the power of the tiger.
Questions and Answers: The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, which helps to create a sense of mystery and wonder. The speaker seems to be trying to understand the tiger's existence and the nature of creation.
Alliteration and Consonance: The poem uses alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) and consonance (repetition of consonant sounds within words) to create a sense of rhythm and sound effects that enhance the imagery.
Figurative Language: Blake uses figurative language to paint a vivid picture of the tiger:
* Metaphor: "Frame thy fearful symmetry" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the tiger's physical form, but also for the creator's design.
* Personification: Blake uses personification by giving the tiger human-like qualities, like "burning bright," suggesting intentionality and power.
Themes:
* The nature of creation: The poem explores the mystery of how God could create something so powerful and dangerous.
* The duality of good and evil: The tiger's beauty and ferocity represent the contrasting forces of good and evil.
* The power of nature: The poem celebrates the awesome and untamed beauty of the natural world.
By using these literary elements, Blake creates a powerful and unforgettable poem that continues to fascinate readers centuries later.