An Analysis and Interpretation of William Wordsworth`s "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge"

Résumé ou Introduction

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.