“Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?”
That’s one of my all-time favorite stanzas from the world of classic poetry. It comes from a poem written by William Blake in the late 1700’s. Some people refer to this poem as “Tiger, Tiger” or “Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright,” however, the real title of the poem is “The Tiger.” I will use the names interchangeably.
This is an excellent poem to share with your children and teens. It has clear rhythm and rhyme, there are several instances of alliteration to be found, and it’s full of descriptive words and phrases. It also alludes to the awesomeness of God and His creation which is what I like.
I have posted the poem here along with some questions for discussion and activities to use. I have also included a free Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright Printable Pack which has a copy of the poem as well as posters and coloring pages.
“Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright” Poem and Questions
The Tiger
by William Blake
Tiger, tiger, 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, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? and 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 watered heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the Lamb make thee?
Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Discussion Questions:
- Find the rhyming words in each stanza. What is the rhyme scheme of this poem?
- What adjectives and phrases are used to describe the tiger?
- The poem suggests that the tiger was created by an immortal being. Who is that divine person?
- What words and phrases are used to describe the divine person?
- Find some examples of alliteration in the poem.
- The first and last stanzas are almost identical with the exception of one word. What word was changed? Why do you think that is?
- How does the poem make you feel about tigers?
- What does this poem tell you about God and His creation?
“Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright” Activities
Here are some activities you might like to do that tie in to “The Tiger.”
- Draw a picture to go with the poem
- Color the tiger coloring pages in the free printable pack
- Do research on tigers
- Go see tigers at a local zoo
- Tigers are on the endangered species list. Learn more about what you can do to help them.
- Color the “Tiger, Tiger” posters in the free printable pack
- Write a four-line poem about a different animal using a similar format and rhyme scheme
- Recite the poem
- Use the poem for copywork or dictation
- Write a melody to go with the poem
- Compare and contrast “The Tiger” to “The Lamb,” another poem by Blake
Many blessings,
