William Blake and the Myths of Britain (Electronic book text)

William Blake and the Myths of Britain is the first full-length study of Blake's use of British mythology and history. From Atlantis to the Deists of the Napoleonic Wars, this book addresses the revival of interest in the legends of Britain during the eighteenth century and how Blake applied these in his extraordinary prophetic histories of the giant Albion. Myths such as 'our famous Druids' and the songs of Ossian were revitalized during the period of British expansion abroad and often used to justify overseas conquests. At the same time, however, by exploiting the links between the human sacrifices of ancient tyrants and those of contemporary wars, Blake appropriated a radical view of antiquarian history. Revisiting such ideas as part of a neglected discourse, William Blake and the Myths of Britain offers an innovative interpretation of these legends.