Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mock on, Mock on! Voltaire, Rousseau" is a poem from William Blake's collection, Songs of Experience, which was published in 1794. The poem is a criticism of the Enlightenment thinkers Voltaire and Rousseau and their ideas of reason and progress.

In the poem, Blake addresses Voltaire and Rousseau directly, mocking them for their belief in reason and progress. He says that they are "Silly boy[s]" who believe that reason can solve all of humanity's problems. He accuses them of being blind to the deeper spiritual truths that underlie the human experience.

Blake's criticism of reason and progress is rooted in his belief in the importance of imagination and intuition. He suggests that reason and progress are limited and cannot fully capture the complexities of the human experience. In the second stanza of the poem, he says that "He who mocks the Infant's Faith / Shall be mock'd in Age & Death." This suggests that those who dismiss the importance of imagination and intuition will ultimately be punished by a life that lacks depth and meaning.

The poem's structure is also significant in conveying Blake's message. The repetition of the phrase "Mock on, Mock on!" emphasizes the futility of reason and progress and suggests that those who believe in these ideas are simply mocking themselves.

Overall, "Mock on, Mock on! Voltaire, Rousseau" is a powerful critique of the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and progress. Blake's emphasis on imagination and intuition highlights the limitations of reason and the importance of spiritual and emotional depth. The poem remains a relevant commentary on the role of reason and progress in contemporary society and a reminder of the importance of imagination and intuition in understanding the complexities of the human experience.