The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Good vs. Evil Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)

Quote #4

As I was walking among the fires of Hell, delighted with the enjoyments of Genius, which to Angels look like torment and insanity, I collected some of their proverbs (3.1)

Hell is where it's at, gang. More than that, this description tells us that Hell is where the expression of creative energy can give way to genius. Angels, however, just don't get it. To them, genius looks like madness. Hmm—that sounds pretty familiar. Don't we always say that geniuses walk a fine line between sanity and insanity?

Quote #5

Note.—This Angel, who is now become a Devil, is my particular friend; we often read the Bible together in its infernal or diabolical sense, which the world shall have if they behave well. (8.5)

Did you know that there was an "infernal" way to read the Bible? That's news to us, too, but it's more evidence here of Blake's re-imagining of what good and evil actually mean. The fact that an angel converts to a devil here further speaks to his disruption of the old definitions of good and evil.