The Use of Religious Hypocrisy in William Blake’s “Holy Thursday”: An Analytical Study

his research examines the use of religious hypocrisy by William Blake through his poems "Holy Thursday" from both poetic collections “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience”. This poem is a pointed political statement. The religious hypocrisy features are analyzed in this poem in order to reveal hidden meanings and hidden messages in the poem. It is important to examine the symbols of the poem in both of poetic collections. This poem can carry hiddenideological and political agenda and messages. The qualitative approach is used in this study in order to reveal and explore hidden messages and meanings. This study delves into Blake's critique of the illumination and the social values of the late eighteenth century. It sheds light on Blake's quest for a more freedom and creative human existence, contrasting it with the constraints imposed by institutionalized rationality and morality. Also, it explores the rich symbolism and profound themes that Blake presents in his poetry. This research focuses on images and symbols that are used in the poem in order to reveal the deeper meaning of the poem. This study refers to the fact that "Holly Thursday" has ideological and hidden messages to express the rejection of religious hypocrisy by the poet William Blake.