Introduction, Notes and Bibliography by Dr Bruce Woodcock, Senior Lecturer in English, University of Hull. William Blake was an engraver, painter and visionary mystic as well as one of the most revolu
布雷克,神秘的詩人與跨領域藝術家。曾說幻視或想像(Visionary or Imaginary)乃創作之本質。四歲時窗外閃現上帝的臉。曾經看見田野上棲了一整樹的天使,和早逝幼弟的靈魂穿過屋頂,飛升而逝。樸素的生活中處處是神蹟,他的詩畫創作卻虔誠又褻瀆,游走於純真與瘋狂之間。早期詩作靜觀萬物,寄情於天人合一的和諧自然,寓功利社會、文明理性與宗教之批判於田園牧歌與永恆的赤子情懷;後期屢以奔放不羈的隱喻與象徵超越語言與表象束縛,拓展讀者的直觀與想像力,在氣魄壯闊的異象中探索人心與命運,讚美力與自由意志,肯定了解放之必要與救贖的希望。