Comment on the phrase, "fearful symmetry" (MEG 102) (Songs of Experience: Study of Some Poems)

The phrase "fearful symmetry" is one of the most famous lines from William Blake's poem "The Tyger." It refers to the idea that the tiger, with its striking beauty and terrifying power, is a perfect balance of opposing forces. The symmetry of the tiger's stripes and its overall form are "fearful" because they evoke a sense of awe and reverence in the speaker, while also suggesting the potential for danger and destruction.

The phrase can be interpreted in a number of ways. Some see it as a reference to the dual nature of the tiger, which embodies both the beauty and the violence of the natural world. Others see it as a metaphor for the broader paradoxes of existence, which are both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Still others interpret it as a comment on the inherent contradictions of human nature, which is capable of great beauty and great evil at the same time.

Overall, the phrase "fearful symmetry" captures the complexity and power of the tiger, as well as the sense of wonder and unease it inspires in the speaker. It is a memorable and evocative phrase that has helped to make "The Tyger" one of Blake's most famous and enduring poems.