How do Blake and Rousseau's ideas align and differ (themes to consider are slavery, religion and education)? Jean-Jacques Rousseau a Genevan philosopher, writer and composer and William Blake an English poet, painter and printmaker lived during the period known as the Age of Enlight en ment that advocated freedom , democracy and reason as the primary values of society . Opposed to exploitation from the rich and powerful monarchy and Church that served its own interests, Rousseau and Blake used their tools of words and images transforming them into a language of liberation, compassion and prophetic revolution. Both Rousseau and Blake believed people are in n ately goo d . Blake’s “Infant Joy” from his “ Songs of Innocence ” supports this natural state of goodness which oppose d the Christian doctrine at that time of original sin . “ I have no name I am but two days old.— What shall I call thee? I happy am , Sweet...