Question

read the poem carefully, then answer the question.

\the tyger\
by william blake (1794)

tyger tyger, burning bright,
in the forests of the night;
what immortal hand or eye,
could frame thy fearful symmetry?

in what distant deeps or skies,
burnt the fire of thine eyes?
on what wings dare he aspire?
what the hand, dare seize the fire?

and what shoulder, & what art,
could twist the sinews of thy heart?
and when thy heart began to beat,
what dread hand? & what dread feet?

what the hammer? what the chain,
in what furnace was thy brain?
what the anvil? what dread grasp,
dare its deadly terrors clasp?

when the stars threw down their spears,
and waterd heaven with their tears:
did he smile his work to see?
did he who made the lamb make thee?

tyger tyger burning bright,
in the forests of the night:
what immortal hand or eye,
dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

which lines most clearly show the development of the poem’s central idea from curiosity to reverence?

• “what the hammer? what the chain...”
• “when the stars threw down their spears, / and waterd heaven with their tears.”
• “in what distant deeps or skies / burnt the fire of thine eyes?”
• “tyger tyger, burning bright, / in the forests of the night.”

Explanation:

1. Analyze each option:

• Option 1: "What the hammer? what the chain..." focuses on the creation process, more on curiosity about how the Tyger was made, not showing reverence.
• Option 2: "When the stars threw down their spears, / And water’d heaven with their tears." This imagery suggests a divine or awe - inspiring reaction to the Tyger's creation. The stars' actions imply a sense of reverence (they are moved to tears and throw spears, perhaps in awe or submission) after the initial curiosity about the Tyger's creation.
• Option 3: "In what distant deeps or skies / Burnt the fire of thine eyes?" is a question about the Tyger's eyes, showing curiosity, not reverence.
• Option 4: "Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night." is an introduction to the Tyger, setting the scene, not showing the transition from curiosity to reverence.

Answer:

The correct option is "When the stars threw down their spears, / And water’d heaven with their tears."