Grown old in love from seven till seven times seven, I oft have wished for hell for ease from heaven

Grown old in love from seven till seven times seven, I oft have wished for hell for ease from heaven

The quote “Grown old in love from seven till seven times seven, I oft have wished for hell for ease from heaven” is a powerful and thought-provoking line from William Blake’s poem “The Garden of Love”. In this poem, Blake explores the themes of love, desire, and the constraints of societal norms. The speaker in the poem reflects on their experiences of love and the ways in which it has shaped their life.

The phrase “Grown old in love from seven till seven times seven” suggests a lifetime spent in pursuit of love and the complexities that come with it. The repetition of the number seven emphasizes the idea of completion and cycles, highlighting the enduring nature of love and its impact on the speaker’s life. The speaker has experienced love in various forms and stages, from the innocence of childhood to the maturity of old age.

The second part of the quote, “I oft have wished for hell for ease from heaven”, reveals the speaker’s inner turmoil and conflict. Despite the joys and pleasures that love has brought them, the speaker longs for a release from the constraints and expectations of heaven. This could be interpreted as a desire for freedom from societal norms and conventions that dictate how love should be experienced and expressed.