COMPOSED UPON WESTMINSTER BRIDGE SEPTEMBER3,1802 William Wordsworth (1770-1850) ( English/ WBCHSE/ CLASS XI )

 

COMPOSED UPON WESTMINSTER BRIDGE SEPTEMBER3,1802

William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Earth has not anything to show more fair:

Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty:

This City now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

Ships, towers, domes, theaters, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky;

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

Never did sun more beautifully steep

In his first splendor, valley, rock, or hill;

Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

The river glideth at his own sweet will:

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;

And all that mighty heart is lying still!

 

 

(The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has 10 syllables and each syllable is stressed or unstressed in a consistent pattern. The poem is also a Petrarchan sonnet, which means that it has 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme.

The poem describes the beauty of London as seen from Westminster Bridge in the early morning. The poet is struck by the stillness and quiet of the city, and he compares it to a sleeping giant. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit.

The poem is often interpreted as a reflection on the Industrial Revolution, which was just beginning at the time. However, the poem also conveys a sense of awe and wonder at the natural world, which suggests that the poet is not entirely convinced by the promises of the Industrial Revolution.)

 

The substance of the poem

The substance of the poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" is the beauty of London in the early morning. The poet, William Wordsworth, is struck by the stillness and quiet of the city, and he compares it to a sleeping giant. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit.

The poem begins with the poet's declaration that Earth has nothing more fair things to show than the sight of London in the early morning. He describes the city as wearing "the beauty of the morning" and as being "silent, bare." The ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples are all open to the fields and to the sky, and they are all "bright and glittering in the smokeless air."

The poet is particularly struck by the stillness of the city. He says that he has never seen a calm so deep, and that the river glides "at his own sweet will." He even compares the houses to being asleep, and he says that "all that mighty heart is lying still."

The poem ends with a reflection on the power of the human spirit. The poet says that even though the city is asleep, it is still a "mighty heart." He believes that the city is a symbol of human progress, and that it is a reminder that even in the midst of change, there is still beauty to be found in the world.

The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit.

 

1.      What is the significance of the Title of the poem?

The title of the poem, "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802," is significant for a few reasons. First, it tells us the exact location of the poem, which is Westminster Bridge in London. This is important because the poem is about the beauty of London as seen from the bridge.

 The title tells us the date on which the poem was written. This is significant because it was written during the Industrial Revolution, when London was undergoing a period of rapid change. The poet's description of the city as being "silent, bare" and "bright and glittering in the smokeless air" suggests that he is seeing London in a moment of transition, when the old ways of life are giving way to the new.

Finally, the title of the poem tells us that it was "composed" on the bridge. This suggests that the poem was written spontaneously, as a result of the poet's immediate response to the beauty of the city. Thus, the title is appropriate and justified.

 

2.      Prove the poem is a sonnet.

The poem has 14 lines. A sonnet is a poem with 14 lines, and this poem has exactly 14 lines.

The poem has a specific rhyme scheme. A sonnet has a specific rhyme scheme, and this poem follows the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA CDC DCD.

The poem is written in iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter is a meter that consists of 10 syllables per line, with each syllable being stressed or unstressed in a consistent pattern. This poem is written in iambic pentameter, as evidenced by the regular beat of the lines.

The poem has a volta or turn. A volta or turn is a change in the poem's speaker's thoughts or feelings, and this poem has a volta in the ninth line, when the speaker shifts from describing the city to reflecting on its meaning.

Therefore, the poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" is a sonnet based on its formal elements, its thematic elements, and its historical context.

 

3.      Discuss the central idea of the poem Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3,1802.

The central idea of the poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" by William Wordsworth is the beauty of London in the early morning. The poet is struck by the stillness and quiet of the city, and he compares it to a sleeping giant. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit.

The poem begins with the poet's declaration that Earth has nothing more fair things to show than the sight of London in the early morning. He describes the city as wearing "the beauty of the morning" and as being "silent, bare." The ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples are all open to the fields and to the sky, and they are all "bright and glittering in the smokeless air."

The poet is particularly struck by the stillness of the city. He says that he has never seen a calm so deep, and that the river glides "at his own sweet will." He even compares the houses to being asleep, and he says that "all that mighty heart is lying still."

The poem ends with a reflection on the power of the human spirit. The poet says that even though the city is asleep, it is still a "mighty heart." He believes that the city is a symbol of human progress, and that it is a reminder that even in the midst of change, there is still beauty to be found in the world.

The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit.

 

4.      How has the poet personified the poem?

The poet William Wordsworth uses personification in his poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" to create a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of London. He personifies the city itself, as well as the sun, the river, and the houses.

"This City now doth, like a garment, wear / The beauty of the morning; silent, bare," Wordsworth compares the city to a person wearing a garment. This personification helps to create a sense of the city as a living, breathing entity.

In the line "Never did sun more beautifully steep / In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill," Wordsworth personifies the sun as a person who is "steeping" the valley, rock, and hill in its light. This personification helps to create a sense of the sun as a powerful force that is capable of transforming the natural world.

In the line "Dear God! the very houses seem asleep; / And all that mighty heart is lying still," Wordsworth personifies the houses as people who are asleep and the city as a "mighty heart" that is lying still. This personification helps to create a sense of the city as a place of peace and tranquillity.

 

5.      How has the poet personified the poem?

The poet William Wordsworth uses personification in his poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802" to create a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of London. He personifies the city itself, as well as the sun, the river, and the houses.

For example, in the line "This City now doth, like a garment, wear / The beauty of the morning; silent, bare," Wordsworth compares the city to a person wearing a garment. This personification helps to create a sense of the city as a living, breathing entity.

 

In the line "Never did sun more beautifully steep / In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill," Wordsworth personifies the sun as a person who is "steeping" the valley, rock, and hill in its light. This personification helps to create a sense of the sun as a powerful force that is capable of transforming the natural world.

In the line "Dear God! the very houses seem asleep; / And all that mighty heart is lying still," Wordsworth personifies the houses as people who are asleep and the city as a "mighty heart" that is lying still. This personification helps to create a sense of the city as a place of peace and tranquillity.

Line Questions: -

1.      “Earth has not any thing to show more fair”-What does the poet mean by “this”? Why does the opening line look so striking?

In the first line of the poem, "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802," William Wordsworth uses the word "this" to refer to the sight of London from Westminster Bridge. The line is striking because it is so bold and confident. Wordsworth is essentially saying that there is nothing else on Earth that is as beautiful as London on a clear morning.

The line is also striking because of its simplicity. There are no unnecessary words or phrases. The line is just four words long, but it packs a powerful punch. The word "fair" is particularly effective, as it suggests both beauty and innocence.

The line is also striking because of its context. The poem was written during the Industrial Revolution, a time when London was becoming increasingly polluted and crowded. However, Wordsworth's poem celebrates the beauty of the city, even in the midst of change. The line "Earth has not anything to show more fair" is a reminder that even in the midst of ugliness, there is still beauty to be found.

2.      “A sight so touching in its majesty”-What is the sight referred to here? What does the poet feel about the sight? Who would be dull of soul?

The sight referred to in the line "A sight so touching in its majesty" is the view of London from Westminster Bridge in the early morning. The poet, William Wordsworth, is struck by the beauty and tranquillity of the city, and he compares it to a sleeping giant. He feels a sense of awe and wonder at the sight, and he believes that anyone who could pass by without seeing its beauty would be "dull of soul."

The word "touching" in this line suggests that the sight is both beautiful and moving. The word "majesty" suggests that the sight is also grand and awe-inspiring. The poet's use of these two words creates a sense of the sight as being both beautiful and powerful.

The phrase "dull of soul" suggests that someone who could pass by without seeing the beauty of London would be lacking in sensitivity or understanding. The poet believes that the sight of London is so beautiful that anyone who could fail to see it would be truly "dull" or insensitive.

The line "A sight so touching in its majesty" is one of the most famous lines in Wordsworth's poem, and it captures the essence of the poet's feelings about the beauty of London to be found.

 

3.      “The city now doth like a garment wear”- What does the poet mean by this? What is the city referred to?

In the line "The city now doth, like a garment, wear," the poet William Wordsworth compares the city of London to a person wearing a garment. The city is described as being "silent, bare" and "bright and glittering in the smokeless air." The word "garment" suggests that the city is covered in a layer of beauty, and the word "wear" suggests that the city is alive and changing.

The city referred to in this line is London, England. The poet is describing the city as he sees it from Westminster Bridge in the early morning. The city is still and quiet, and the sun is just beginning to rise. The poet is struck by the beauty of the city, and he compares it to a person wearing a garment.

(The use of personification in this line helps to create a sense of the city as a living, breathing entity. The city is not just a collection of buildings and streets, but it is also a place of beauty and wonder. The poet's use of personification helps to capture the essence of the city as it is seen in the early morning.)

 

4.      “The beauty of the morning silent and bare”- What beauty does the poet refer to? Why is the beauty called silent, bare?

In the line "The beauty of the morning silent and bare," the poet William Wordsworth refers to the beauty of London as seen from Westminster Bridge in the early morning. The city is still and quiet, and the sun is just beginning to rise. The poet is struck by the beauty of the city, and he compares it to a person wearing a garment.

The beauty of the city is called silent and bare because there are no people or cars moving around. The city is still and quiet, and the only sound is the sound of the river flowing. The poet uses the words "silent" and "bare" to create a sense of peace and tranquillity.

The beauty of the city is also called silent and bare because there is no smoke or pollution, in the air. The air is clear and fresh, and the sun is shining brightly. The poet uses the words "silent" and "bare" to create a sense of purity and innocence.

 

5.      “All bright and glittering in the smokeless air” – What does the poet refer to by “all”? Why are they bright and glittering?

In the line "All bright and glittering in the smokeless air," the poet William Wordsworth refers to the city of London as seen from Westminster Bridge in the early morning. The city is still and quiet, and the sun is just beginning to rise. The poet is struck by the beauty of the city, and he compares it to a person wearing a garment.

 

The word "all" in this line refers to the city's buildings, streets, and rivers. The poet is describing the city as it is bathed in the early morning sunlight. The sun's rays reflect off the buildings and the water, making them appear bright and glittering.

 

The city is bright and glittering because there is no smoke in the air. The Industrial Revolution was just beginning at the time the poem was written, and London was not yet as polluted as it would become later. The lack of smoke in the air allows the sun's rays to shine through freely, making the city appear even brighter and more beautiful.

 

The poet's use of the word "all" creates a sense of totality. The city is not just a collection of individual buildings and streets, but it is also a single, unified entity. The poet's use of the word "glittering" creates a sense of beauty and wonder. The city is not just a place of commerce and industry, but it is also a place of beauty and grace.

 

6.      “The river glideth at his own sweet will”-Name the river mentioned here. Why has them poet used pronominal adjective (his) here? What does the poet mean to say?

 

The river mentioned in the line "The river glideth at his own sweet will" is the river Thames. The poet William Wordsworth uses the pronominal adjective "his" to refer to the river because he is personifying the river. This means that he is giving the river human qualities, such as a will and a desire.

The poet uses the pronominal adjective "his" because he wants to emphasize the river's independence and autonomy. The river is not controlled by anyone or anything, and it flows wherever it wants to flow. The poet uses this personification to create a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty and power of the river.

The line "The river glideth at his own sweet will" is a beautiful and evocative image that captures the essence of the river Thames. It is a reminder that even in the midst of a busy and crowded city, there is still beauty and wonder to be found.

 

7.      How does the poet Wordsworth describe the city in the last line of the sonnet? What is the speciality of the sun that the poet describes?

In the last line of the sonnet, the poet William Wordsworth describes the city as being "a mighty heart lying still." This personification of the city suggests that the city is a living, breathing entity that is at peace. The poet also compares the sun to a "mighty heart" because it is a powerful force that is capable of bringing life and warmth to the city.

 

The speciality of the sun that the poet describes is that it is "steeping" the city in its light. This suggests that the sun is not just shining on the city, but that it is also actively interacting with it. The sun's light is bringing life and warmth to the city, and it is also helping to cleanse the city of its impurities.

The poet's description of the city and the sun in the last line of the sonnet is a beautiful and hopeful image. It suggests that even in the midst of change, there is still beauty and hope to be found.

The line is striking because it is so simple and yet so evocative. The poet uses the word "mighty" to describe the city, which suggests that it is a powerful and important place. The word "heart" suggests that the city is a living, breathing entity. The word "lying" suggests that the city is at peace. The word "still" suggests that the city is calm and serene.

(Ganesh Sir- 9088611116)

William Wordsworth (1770-1850)