William Wordsworth, a co-founder and representative of Romanticism, wrote “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802” when he was on the way to France with his sister Dorothy Wordsworth. He wanted to meet his illegitimate daughter. In the poem Wordsworth describes the view they observed, when crossing Westminster Bridge during the early morning hours (cf. Mullan 2014). Around this time the Industrial Revolution took place in Great Britain. Thus, the growth of manufacturing and production boosted the industry and promoted the development of new inventions as well as innovations (cf. Britannica online 2019).
Romanticism or the Romantic Period was an artistic and intellectual movement from the late 18th to the mid-19th century which influenced European literature, painting, music as well as architecture. Moreover, the romantic period has put it emphasis on the appreciation of nature and emotional sensitivity of humans. (cf. Ferber 2010). Nevertheless it is uncommon for Wordsworth to write about a city, especially in such a positive tone, since he is a co-founder and important poet of the Romantic period (cf. Mullan 2014).
With this seminar paper I intend to show Wordsworth`s uncommon way of appreciating London as an element of nature in his poem “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” and how the poet refers to the Industrial Revolution and the Romantic Period. Firstly I plan to briefly summarize the poem and then find out how the atmosphere of the poem is created by analysing its language and use of personification. I will also take a closer look on the poem`s form and how rhetorical figures are being used. This also includes an analysis of the meter, rhyme scheme and its relation to the theme of the poem.
The primary source of this research paper is the poem “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” itself as it was written by William Wordsworth. For a more in-depth understanding of the material I will use a number of articles, books as well as online sources.
Table of Contents
1. A short Introduction
2. “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” – Analysis and Interpretation
3. Conclusion
Objectives & Key Themes
This research paper examines William Wordsworth's poem “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” to explore the poet's unique depiction of London as an entity integrated with nature rather than separate from it, while simultaneously analyzing the influence of the Industrial Revolution and the Romantic period on his work.
- Analysis of the poem's atmosphere and language
- Use of personification and rhetorical figures
- Structural examination, including meter and rhyme scheme
- Connection between urban landscapes and nature
- Influence of historical context, specifically the Industrial Revolution
Excerpt from the Book
“Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” – Analysis and Interpretation
The poem „Upon Westminster Bridge” by William Wordsworth describes the beautiful view from the Westminster Bridge over the Thames and the city of London in the early morning. Furthermore, the full title “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802” tells the reader already that the poem was composed on the Westminster Bridge in London in 1803. This happened after Wordsworth and his sister had passed the bridge to get to France in order to get in touch with his illegitimate daughter Caroline (cf. Mullan: 2014, online). The opening line “EARTH has not anything to show more fair;” (Composed Upon Westminster Bridge: l. 1) reveals that there is nothing more beautiful in the entire world than the scenery, which is described in the poem. Also, in the lines two and three the poet claims that only people with a lack of emotions could not notice this beautiful view. In verse four to seven the poet mentions the silence of the city and says that London`s buildings merge with the surrounding nature. The eight line gives the reader an image of the shining and clean city of London. In verse nine to ten the speaker claims that the sun has not shone this beautiful on any natural landscape (cf. ll 1-8). The following line shows the reader that it is the first time the speaker experiences this feeling of calmness: “Ne`er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!” (l. 9). In the last three lines the poet describes the natural flow of the river and the entire tranquillity of the city. To sum up, it can be said that in the first section (lines one to eight) the poet writes about the beautiful features London has in the morning hours and in the second section (lines nine to fourteen) he compares this beauty to nature as well as he shares his inner world (cf. ll. 1-14).
Summary of Chapters
1. A short Introduction: Provides background on William Wordsworth and the Romantic movement while outlining the research goal to analyze the poem's language, structure, and themes.
2. “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” – Analysis and Interpretation: Examines the poem's imagery, personification, meter, and rhyme scheme to show how Wordsworth depicts London as a calm, natural entity.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, emphasizing that the poem portrays the city as a living being and reflects a reaction against the industrial pollution of the time.
Keywords
William Wordsworth, Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, Romanticism, Industrial Revolution, London, Nature, Personification, Poetry, Literary Analysis, Sonnet, Metaphor, Imagery, Environment, City, Tranquillity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on analyzing William Wordsworth's poem “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” to understand how the author perceives London as a natural, peaceful setting during the early 19th century.
Which thematic areas are central to the work?
The central themes include the relationship between urban life and nature, the influence of the Industrial Revolution, and the artistic principles of the Romantic Period.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to demonstrate how Wordsworth utilizes personification and simple language to reframe the city of London as a beautiful, breathing component of nature.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, breaking down the poem’s language, rhetorical figures, meter, rhyme scheme, and historical context.
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body provides a line-by-line interpretation of the poem, an analysis of the speaker's emotional state, a study of the Italian sonnet structure used, and an examination of the contrast between the city and industrialization.
What are the characterizing keywords of the paper?
Key terms include Romanticism, Industrial Revolution, Personification, Nature, London, and Sonnet.
How does the poem relate to the Industrial Revolution?
The paper argues that the poem acts as a critique or rebellion against the Industrial Revolution, as the author captures the city's beauty only in the "smokeless" hours before factory work begins.
What is the significance of the bridge as a symbol?
The bridge symbolizes both the separation of humans from nature and the potential bridge or connection between the two, providing a unique perspective to observe the landscape.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Maria Wohlgemuth (Autor:in), 2019, An Analysis and Interpretation of William Wordsworth`s "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/512990
