Pop Culture William Blake!

     The famous poet and artist William Blake is still known today throughout literature, films, and music. The late 18th century early 19th century writer was part of the romantic poets who expressed freedom of the mind and body.
     Blake's work and influence can be found today in a variety of places. The hit blockbuster movies "V for Vendetta" and "The Watchmen" all come from Blake's ideas and thoughts on governments control on its people. Alan Moore, the author of the two scripts first introduced them in 1982 and '86. Alan was so immersed into Blake's work that in every scene in V's hideout, the painting of "Elohim Creating Adam" can be seen. When the two movies came onto the big screen in the 2000's they were considered big hits and were viewed by many.
     Another example of Blake being found in pop culture can be lyrics of the popular band throughout the world, U2. The band shares the same values and ideas that Blake did toward government issues and they can be found in these lyrics below, Blake's writing first, then U2's lyrics-

As human blood shooting its veins all round the orbèd heaven,
Red rose the clouds from the Atlantic in vast wheels of blood,
And in the red clouds rose a Wonder o'er the Atlantic sea (4.5-7)

From the firefly
A red orange glow
See the face of fear
Running scared
In the valley below

     The difference yet similarity can be distinguished in Blake's America, The Prophecy, and U2's "Bullet in Blue Sky."

     Have you ever heard of a graphic novel? The term was actually derived from Blake as he so often combined his piercing poetry with his beautiful and talented paintings to create one cohesive image. The famous author, C.S. Lewis, writer of the Chronicles of Narnia which have been transformed into blockbuster hits as well, placed Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell as the preface to his book The Great Divorce. References of Blake's work can yet again be found in the popular TV Show Monty Pythons Flying Circus were characters are required to sing "Jerusalem" which is a very profound poem authored by Blake.

     HOw ever much you may want to deny it, such as myself, Romanticism can be found all around us in so many ways in todays culture. Whether it is the music you are listening on your iPod, or part of a TV show you are watching, or in a book you are reading, WIlliam Blake and so many other Romantic poets made their mark on the world that is slow to diminish.