enjoyments of Genius

Of particular interest in regards to the character of the poet, William Blake, are these lines, eerily appropriate coming from a man who blurred the distinctions between genius and insanity with such zeal. More than any other Romantic poet, other than perhaps Charles Lamb, the question of Blake?s sanity looms over all over his poetical works, leaving an audience that isn?t quite sure just where Blake tenuous grip on reality stops and his verse begins. Much of The Marriage of Heaven and Hell seems to be introspective on Blake?s part, the printing-house of Hell bearing resemblance to a glorified, supernatural version of his own printing process, and this particular line seems to be an extension of this theme. Blake, in an exaggerated, vaudeville ?and they dared to call me mad!? sort of fashion, sides Genius with the forces of Hell, and in almost mocking terms refers to Angels who misinterpret as torment what he was just enjoying.