Summary:
“The Lamb” is a lyrical poem by William Blake, published in 1789 as part of his collection Songs of Innocence. The poem is written in a simple, childlike tone and explores themes of innocence, creation, and divinity.
The poem takes the form of a question-and-answer structure, where the speaker—possibly a child—asks a lamb if it knows who created it. The second stanza answers the question, revealing that the Lamb was created by God, who is also called “The Lamb” (Jesus Christ).
Blake uses the lamb as a symbol of innocence, purity, and the gentleness of God. The poem contrasts with The Tyger from Songs of Experience, which represents strength, power, and the darker aspects of creation. The poem emphasizes God’s kindness and the peaceful nature of creation.
The poem’s famous opening lines are:
“Little Lamb who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?”
The rhyming couplets, soft imagery, and repetitive structure make the poem sound like a nursery rhyme, reinforcing its theme of childlike innocence and faith.
MCQs:
- Who wrote The Lamb?
A) William Wordsworth
B) William Blake
C) John Keats
D) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Answer: B) William Blake - In which poetry collection was The Lamb published?
A) Songs of Experience
B) Songs of Innocence
C) Lyrical Ballads
D) Paradise Lost
Answer: B) Songs of Innocence - What is the main theme of The Lamb?
A) The power of nature
B) The innocence of creation and God’s kindness
C) The struggle of mankind
D) The duality of good and evil
Answer: B) The innocence of creation and God’s kindness - Which animal is the focus of the poem?
A) A tiger
B) A lamb
C) A lion
D) A dove
Answer: B) A lamb - Who is referred to as “The Lamb” in the poem?
A) The speaker
B) The poet
C) Jesus Christ
D) The tiger
Answer: C) Jesus Christ - What question does the speaker ask the lamb?
A) “Do you fear the tiger?”
B) “Where do you sleep at night?”
C) “Little Lamb who made thee?”
D) “Why are you so white and pure?”
Answer: C) “Little Lamb who made thee?” - Which poem from Songs of Experience contrasts with The Lamb?
A) London
B) The Sick Rose
C) The Tyger
D) A Poison Tree
Answer: C) The Tyger - What literary device is used in the poem?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Alliteration
D) Personification
Answer: D) Personification - What does the lamb symbolize?
A) Strength and power
B) Innocence and purity
C) Destruction and chaos
D) Wisdom and knowledge
Answer: B) Innocence and purity - What is the rhyme scheme of The Lamb?
A) ABAB
B) AABB
C) ABCD
D) Free verse
Answer: B) AABB
Question | Answer |
Poem Name | The Lamb |
Poet | William Blake |
Year Published | 1789 |
Poetry Collection | Songs of Innocence |
Main Themes | Innocence, Creation, Divine Goodness |
Contrasting Poem | The Tyger (from Songs of Experience) |
Famous Line | “Little Lamb who made thee?” |
Literary Devices | Personification, Symbolism, Rhetorical Questions |