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SONNET COMPOSED UPON A WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, SEPTEMBER 3, 1802
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William Wordsworth (7 April 1770 – 23 April 1850) was an English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature with their joint publication Lyrical Ballads (1798). (more)
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LITERAL MEANING
The persona in this poem is reflecting on the perfection of the city. He believes (www.bulbsoup.com) that there is nothing on Earth so beautiful as the city in the morning. Only a dull person would not appreciate such a majestic sight. He is awed by the calm of the city.
The persona in this poem is reflecting on the perfection of the city. He believes (www.bulbsoup.com) that there is nothing on Earth so beautiful as the city in the morning. Only a dull person would not appreciate such a majestic sight. He is awed by the calm of the city.
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Earth has not anything to show more 4. fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by A sight so touching in its 5. majesty: 1. This City now doth, like a garment, wear 5 The beauty of the morning; silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres and temples Lie open upon the fields, and to the sky; All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. 2. Never did sun more beautifully 6. steep 10 In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill; Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! 3. The river glideth at his own steep will: Dear God! 4. the very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still! Poet: William Wordsworth |
LITERARY DEVICES
1. SIMILE
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- Line 13: When someone is asleep, they are usually peaceful. Therefore, when the persona describes the houses as sleeping, he is emphasizing (www.bulbsoup.com) the peace that exists in the city in the morning. The inhabitants of the houses are asleep, therefore the houses are quiet and peaceful.
IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES
4. 'fair' (Line 1)
The word fair, in this context, literally means beautiful. The persona is setting the stage for the reader, introducing the fact that the city is beautiful.
5. 'majesty' (Line 3)
This word implies that the city is regal in its splendour. Therefore, it is beyond beautiful and has become stately.
6. 'steep' (Line 9)
This word describes how (www.bulbsoup.com) the sun ascends into the sky. It is stressed that it does so in a beautiful manner.
4. 'fair' (Line 1)
The word fair, in this context, literally means beautiful. The persona is setting the stage for the reader, introducing the fact that the city is beautiful.
5. 'majesty' (Line 3)
This word implies that the city is regal in its splendour. Therefore, it is beyond beautiful and has become stately.
6. 'steep' (Line 9)
This word describes how (www.bulbsoup.com) the sun ascends into the sky. It is stressed that it does so in a beautiful manner.
THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION: Nature, Places
ATMOSPHERE
The mood of the poem is pensive, or thoughtful. The persona is expressing his thoughts, and reaction to, the city in the morning.
The tone of the poem is one of awe and admiration.
The mood of the poem is pensive, or thoughtful. The persona is expressing his thoughts, and reaction to, the city in the morning.
The tone of the poem is one of awe and admiration.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
Wordsworth, W. 'Sonnet Composed Upon A Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802' in A World of Poetry. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.
Wordsworth, W. 'Sonnet Composed Upon A Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802' in A World of Poetry. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.
