New York Public Library
Milton
Plate 41
Witcutt's fourth chapter, 'The Birth of the Functions', gives attention to how the functions or Zoas operate within the psyche. We see how the Zoas are paired and how the Emanation and Spectre of each, fits into a pattern which applies to each of the four. The splitting of the Emanation from man is experienced by each of the Zoas, leading to the origin of their Spectres. The autonomous behavior of the fractional parts of the Zoas is the subject to much of Blake's analysis.
From Witcutt's Blake: A Psychological Study:
Page 44
...
The Spectres and Emanations are thus the connecting links between the Zoas, a fact which is important in the development of their ultimate reintegration. For a man split up into his components (as most of us are) is an incomplete or disintegrated man; therefore the connecting links between the disintegrated parts of his personality are valuable. The Spectres and Emanations are therefor essential characters in Blake's epics, which deal with nothing less than the story of the soul, its disintegration through sin and ultimate regeneration.
...
Ahania, the Emanation of Urizen, is feeling looked at by thought.
Vala, the Emanation of Luvah, is thought looked at by feeling.
Enitharmon , the Emanation of Los, is sensation looked at by intuition.
Enion, the Emanation of Tharmas, is intuition looked at by sensation."
Four Zoas, Night VII, Page 82, (E 358)
[Spoken by Shadow of Enitharmon]
"Urizen grew up in the plains of Beulah Many Sons
And many daughters flourishd round the holy Tent of Man
Till he forgot Eternity delighted in his sweet joy
Among his family his flocks & herds & tents & pastures
But Luvah close conferrd with Urizen in darksom night
To bind the father & enslave the brethren Nought he knew
Of sweet Eternity the blood flowd round the holy tent & rivn
From its hinges uttering its final groan all Beulah fell
In dark confusion mean time Los was born & Enitharmon
But how I know not then forgetfulness quite wrapd me up
A period nor do I more remember till I stood
Beside Los in the Cavern dark enslavd to vegetative forms
According to the Will of Luvah who assumed the Place
Of the Eternal Man & smote him. But thou Spectre dark
Maist find a way to punish Vala in thy fiery South
To bring her down subjected to the rage of my fierce boy"
Four Zoas, Night VII, Page 84, (E 359)
"The Spectre said. Thou lovely Vision this delightful Tree
Is given us for a Shelter from the tempests of Void & Solid
Till once again the morn of ages shall renew upon us
To reunite in those mild fields of happy Eternity
Where thou & I in undivided Essence walkd about
Imbodied. thou my garden of delight & I the spirit in the garden
Mutual there we dwelt in one anothers joy revolving
Days of Eternity with Tharmas mild & Luvah sweet melodious
Upon our waters. This thou well rememberest listen I will tell
What thou forgettest. They in us & we in them alternate Livd
Drinking the joys of Universal Manhood. One dread morn
Listen O vision of Delight One dread morn of goary blood
The manhood was divided for the gentle passions making way
Thro the infinite labyrinths of the heart & thro the nostrils issuing
In odorous stupefaction stood before the Eyes of Man
A female bright."
Jerusalem, Plate 88, (E 246)
"Los answerd sighing like the Bellows of his Furnaces
I care not! the swing of my Hammer shall measure the starry round.
When in Eternity Man converses with Man they enter
Into each others Bosom (which are Universes of delight)
In mutual interchange. and first their Emanations meet
Surrounded by their Children. if they embrace & comingle
The Human Four-fold Forms mingle also in thunders of Intellect
But if the Emanations mingle not; with storms & agitations
Of earthquakes & consuming fires they roll apart in fear
For Man cannot unite with Man but by their Emanations
Which stand both Male & Female at the Gates of each Humanity
How then can I ever again be united as Man with Man
While thou my Emanation refusest my Fibres of dominion.
When Souls mingle & join thro all the Fibres of Brotherhood
Can there be any secret joy on Earth greater than this?"
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