Visionary Materialism in the Early Works of William Blake: The Intersection of Enthusiasm and Empiricism

Green, M.

Incorporating the most recent discoveries concerning Blake's heritage and cultural context, Visionary Materialism in the Early Works of William Blake: The Intersection of Enthusiasm and Empiricism proposes a radical new reading of his early works, that sees them taking enlightenment ideas to heights never dreamed of by Locke and Priestley. Drawing on a careful analysis of key figures from both sides of the enlightenment/counter-enlightenment divide (including Boehme, Swedenborg, the Moravians, Lavater, Brothers, Erasmus Darwin), the discussion traces an alternative tradition that disrupts previous assumptions about important aspects of Blake's thought.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2005-03-23

Format: Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9781403942319

DOI: 10.1057/9780230500273

Dimensions: 216cm x140cm

Pages: 218