When a Man has Married a Wife he finds out whetherHer knees & elbows are only glued together

[Pasham]

When a Man has Married a Wife he finds out whether
Her knees & elbows are only glued together

and

In a wife I would desire
What in whores is always found—
The lineaments of Gratified desire.
Quote by William Blake
what is the meaning of the sayings in simple terms?

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forum, Pasham.

It is a forum requirement that you tell us the source and author of any text you quote.

 

[probus]

While we are waiting for the source of the first one, Pasham, let me tell you that I find the elbows part quite mystifying.

 

[Pasham]

While we are waiting for the source of the first one, Pasham, let me tell you that I find the elbows part quite mystifying.

Both are from Poems from Blake's Notebooks(1800~1803).
Quote were written on the wedding gift i received.

 

[probus]

Thanks Pasham. I must accept that Blake truly did write both. I am nonetheless mystified by his inclusion of elbows.

 

[5jj]

I am nonetheless mystified by his inclusion of elbows.

You are not alone.

The knees are clear enough. Women were expected to be virgins until they married; they were supposed to keep their legs firmly unparted, as if their knees were glued together.

 

[jutfrank]

I'd guess that the elbows reference has a sexual meaning too. Open arms grants access to the body.

 

[Tdol]

The lineaments he wants are open arms and legs.

 

[jutfrank]

The lineaments he wants are open arms and legs.

I don't think so. The lineaments are those of gratified desire— expressed after sex. I think they refer to the body language and facial expressions of sexual satisfaction.