Orc (Blake)
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Orc (a proper name) is one of the characters in the complex mythology of William Blake. Unlike the medieval sea beast, or Tolkien's humanoid monster, his Orc is a positive figure, the embodiment of creative passion and energy, and stands opposed to Urizen, the embodiment of tradition.
Orc is described by Blake as 'Lover of Wild Rebellion, and transgressor of God's Law'. He symbolizes the spirit of rebellion and freedom, which provoked the French Revolution and American War of Independence.
[edit] Incidence
Orc appears in four of Blake's books:
- America, a Prophecy
- Europe, a Prophecy
- The Book of Urizen
- Vala, or the Four Zoas.
[edit] Name
Orc is said to be an anagram for Cor, or heart in Latin.
[edit] Parentage
Orc is the child of Los and Enitharmon, in Europe a Prophecy. In The Four Zoas this is over-ridden: there the parents produce the four sons Rintrah, Palambron, Bromion and Theotormon. This is a double-dialectical analysis, rather than an inconsistency as such.
On the other hand Orc is connected to Luvah in The Four Zoas VIII.
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