| William Blake, the eighteenth-century Romantic artist and poet who by his own words lived a "divided existence," struggled as to whether he should conform to an accustomed mold or pursue unfettered genius. Although this psychobiographical analysis of Blake investigates features consistent with affective disturbance, namely bipolar illness, a later classification of manic-depression, I do not wish to diagnose Blake conclusively with one disorder. Since, any psychological analysis, especially one of a posthumous nature is speculative at best, I ascertain that the excessiveness of any trait can become dysfunctional, generating immense emotional and psychological distress. To this end, various psychosocial and biogenetic perspectives are used to elucidate the comprehensive taxonomy of personality and its associated disorders. The manifestation of bipolar disorder is debated as probable but any evidence of psychological illness will not compromise the personal and professional merits of this compassionate and gifted individual. |
