"Explore the ways in which a sense of place is presented in 'Songs of Experience: London' by William Blake

Essay Plan Structure: Context: At a time of mass industrailisation and poverty in London, Blake uses the "Songs of Experience" collection as a challenging, guilt-evoking confrontation to the facades and false pretence initiated by the upper class that everything is content in London. Romantic attitudes of the time regarded nature as a vital stem from whihc humanity derived its inspiration and spirit. Content: "Marks of weakness, marks of woe": Blakes polysemic use of the word 'marks' sheds light on various interpretations as to the speakers intention regarding meaning. On one hand, marks could be understood as a sign, or scar, relating to the physical damage the industiral revolution incurred or it could mean the psychological marks of weakness people display, demonstrative of the bleak nature of life in London.