IMAGE OF PITY

Although Blake recognized the possibility that pity may become a false, destructive emotion, he acknowledged the Eternal dimension of pity. In the large colour print called Pity he is portraying pity as an expression of caring and compassion which is the Soul's response to another Soul in need. The pity of Los and Enitharmon in giving bodies to the dead from the ranks of Urizen's war is an expression of the healing which results from Enitharmon's sorrow over her sons and Los' moderating his fury. Pity and wrath become constructive rather than destructive forces.  

Four Zoas, Night VII, PAGE 98 [90], (E 370) 

"Then I can sigh forth on the winds of Golgonooza piteous forms 

That vanish again into my bosom but if thou my Los 

Wilt in sweet moderated fury. fabricate forms sublime 

 Such as the piteous spectres may assimilate themselves into 

 They shall be ransoms for our Souls that we may live" 

  

Four Zoas, Night VII, Page 98 [90], (E 371) 

"But Los loved them & refusd to Sacrifice their infant limbs 

And Enitharmons smiles & tears prevaild over self protection 

They rather chose to meet Eternal death than to destroy 

The offspring of their Care & Pity Urthonas spectre was comforted 

But Tharmas most rejoicd in hope of Enions return 

For he beheld new Female forms born forth upon the air 

Who wove soft silken veils of covering in sweet rapturd trance 

Mortal & not as Enitharmon without a covering veil" ... 

Night 8 

"Then Los said I behold the Divine Vision thro the broken 

Gates Of thy poor broken heart astonishd melted into Compassion & Love And Enitharmon said I see the Lamb of God upon Mount Zion 

Wondring with love & Awe they felt the divine hand upon them 

For nothing could restrain the dead in Beulah from descending Unto 

Ulros night tempted by the Shadowy females sweet 

Delusive cruelty they descend away from the Daughters of Beulah 

And Enter Urizens temple Enitharmon pitying & her heart 

Gates broken down. they descend thro the Gate of Pity 

The broken heart Gate of Enitharmon 

She sighs them forth upon the wind Of Golgonooza Los stood recieving them For Los could enter into Enitharmons bosom & explore 

Its intricate Labyrinths now the Obdurate heart was broken"  

This pity which expresses the Divine Vision results from absorbing suffering into the psyche and embracing it as thread from which Life Eternal is woven. In Blake's image pity is not a one way street from those who have to those who have not. It is involvement in an organic relationship among the breath of God, the incarnate spirit, newborn babe and the receptive human. If this picture is approached by the Reasoning Spectre, it fails to

Pity image from wikimedia

communicate a coherent message. The Spectre may ask exactly which figure is pity and what is the nature of the pity expressed. To ask whose baby it is and why the lady is lying alone is trying to explain the picture by 'analytics' which yields only confusion. Entering into the picture through imagination invites the various figures to act as a whole which can speak to one intuitively. 

 

Psalms 34 [18] 

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 

 

Another post on Pity.  

Pity at the Metropolitan.