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Urizen, Bound and Unbound

In previous posts on Hell’s Printing Press, I have explored the process of illustration markup and textual tagging at the WBA (see my earlier posts about textual tagging broadly and focused studies of tags like “streams of gore,” “lunging,” and “ecstasy”). In addition to tags related to objects, movements, and emotions, the WBA also aims to identify particular figures significant to Blake’s works and life. These include historical figures, such as Catherine Blake and George Romney; biblical characters including Potiphar and Job; and allegories like Mirth and Joy. However, one of the most important groups of tagged figures are characters created by Blake—from Oothoon and Los to Rintrah and Orc—who often recur throughout his poetry and designs.

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