Blake and Blasphemy

Abstract

Blasphemy is a matter of freethinking and free speech. Blasphemy, from the Greek βλασφημια, evil-speaking or profane language, is typically considered a sin against God: in Matthew 12.31, Christ speaks of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost as the only sin that cannot be forgiven, but it remains a sin that is hidden from men and punished by God. However, as we can see from both Matthew 26 and Blake’s The Everlasting Gospel, this freedom is often only realised or infringed in public: it must be witnessed – it is a crime as well as a sin.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

(Matthew 26:65)

My Sin thou hast forgiven me

Canst thou forgive my Blasphemy

(The Everlasting Gospel, F.75–6, E522)