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Thread: Swedenborg and Blake

  1. #1
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    Swedenborg and Blake

    So, I'm a Junior in High School reading and studying the works of William Blake outside of my studies. And I'm very confused about Blake's relation with the Emanuel Swedenborg. From many people over the net's words, he almost worshiped the guy. However, the Marriage of Heaven and Hell, which I personally consider the greatest Blake works, seem to speak of Swedenborg very negatively, or at least speak negatively of his works.

    So what was William Blake's opinion on Swedenborg, is basically my question. Yup.

  2. #2
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    You must understand that just because one likes an author, he will agree with everything. Blake is under Swedenborg influence, specially when you think of metaphysical aspects of his works, but disagreed in a few instances, almost aciddentally. It is like one liked potato and the other tomato.

  3. #3
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    well in simplistic terms....Swedenborg had a church, Blake was a part of it and clearly therefore there was a time in Blakes life were he did think Swedenborg was amazing.
    Later however, Blake had disagreements with Swedenborg for he only conversed with God and not the Devil, and you will know that he thinks "without contraries is no progression" [as you claim marriage of heaven and hell if your favorite work] that Blake didn't think Swedenborg was progressing. So he left him and began to have his own mystical experiences ....... and in M of H+H Blake explicitly alludes to Swedenborg- do to degrade his works.

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