CHAPTER II

The Structure of The Four Zoas

The poem is divided into three patterns of action that follow one another in linear narrative. Separated by two acts of Divine intervention, these three patterns are flanked by the protological Eden and the eschatological Eden. The first major pattern of action begins when Albion falls into finite existence and his single consciousness is separated into eight component mental energies, four represented by masculine figures and four by feminine figures. The four masculine energies are the Zoas, namely Tharmas, Los, Luvah, and Urizen; and the four feminine energies are the Emanations, namely Enion, Enitharmon, Vala, and Ahania. These energies emerge, or take on finite, differentiated forms, and estab­lish a first universe of Pythagorean form and harmony (an elaboration upon Blake's concept of a universe of Pythagorean form and harmony is provided in appendix I). A systematic cosmology is created, for the eight component energies establish, in succession, being and generation, time and space, motion and attraction, and order in a philosophically rational sequence.

The first pair of Albion's eight component energies to emerge are Tharmas and Enion, who establish respectively being and generation as the first step in the systematic cosmology of the first universe of The Four Zoas. After the emergence of Tharmas and Enion, Los and Enitharmon are born and establish time and space. Then, Luvah and Vala follow and their energies contribute motion and attraction. The

final pair of Albion's component energies to emerge into finitude are

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