Explain the relevance of Dante's four levels to an understanding of Blake's poems. (MEG 102) (APPROACHES TO BLAKE's POETRY)

Dante's four levels of interpretation, as outlined in his Divine Comedy, are the literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical levels. These levels refer to different layers of meaning within the text, with each level building upon the previous one to create a more complex understanding of the work.

Blake was heavily influenced by Dante, and he often used similar techniques of layered symbolism and allegory in his own poetry. He also believed that his own work should be interpreted on multiple levels, with each level adding to the overall understanding of the poem.

One way in which Dante's four levels are relevant to an understanding of Blake's poems is in the way that they can help to reveal the multiple layers of meaning present in his work. For example, on a literal level, a Blake poem might tell a simple story or describe a scene, but on an allegorical level, it might be conveying a deeper message about human nature or society. On a moral level, the poem might be making a statement about right and wrong, while on an anagogical level, it might be pointing towards a spiritual or metaphysical truth.

By using Dante's four levels as a framework for interpretation, readers can gain a more nuanced understanding of Blake's poetry, uncovering the various layers of symbolism and meaning that he incorporated into his work. This can help to deepen our appreciation of his poetry and provide insights into his unique philosophical and spiritual vision.