The Tyger Metaphor Activity
You can find this storyboard in the following articles and resources:
Types of Figurative Language
By Kristy Littlehale
Figurative language is used in both literature and poetry to create layers of meaning which the reader accesses through the senses, symbolism, and sound devices. Engage students with premade activities and lessons from Storyboard That!
The Tyger by William Blake
Lesson Plans by Bridget Baudinet
In “The Tyger”, William Blake not only explores the coexistence of good and evil, but he also questions the source of their existence, asking how a single creator could create both beauty and horror. It includes powerful metaphors and religious and classical allusions.
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Storyboard Description
Have students illustrate examples of metaphors in The Tyger
Storyboard Text
- TIGER
- LAMB
- BLACKSMITH
- WINGS
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- The tiger represents evil. Like a tiger, evil is powerful but terrifying.
- The Lamb represents innocence and goodness. It is a reference both to the lamb as a meek, gentle animal and to Jesus, referred to in the Bible as the Lamb of God.
- The blacksmith represents the creator of the tiger, a supernatural force that might be God or the devil.
- Wings represent the daring spirit of the creator. He seems to have gone too far and flown too high in creating such a creature as the tiger. The creature seems to be abusing his power.
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