Comparing "Composed Upon WestminsterBridge , September 3, 1802" by William Wordsworth and "London" by William Blake.

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Comparing “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802” by William Wordsworth and “London” by William Blake

“Composed upon Westminster Bridge” and “London” were both written in the 19th century to exemplify the authors’ views on the city of London.

“Composed upon Westminster Bridge” is a specific poem.  It is specifically about a part of London, seen from Westminster Bridge.  “London” is a poem which is considering the troubles of the people in London, and the inflexible way in which it is controlled.

        Wordsworth shows through his poem that he admires the beauty and tranquillity of London.  This is implied in the first line of the poem:

“Earth has not anything to show more fair”

In contrast, Blake expresses his hatred of London.  He has feelings of aggravation and unhappiness.  He thinks London is not free and conveys the ways in which London is controlled.  He demonstrates this by using repetition of the word “chartered” which means controlled, such as in verse 1, line 1 and verse 1, line 2;

“…chartered street…” “…chartered Thames…”

This emphasises that everything has been taken over and exploited.  “Chartered” is mostly likely to mean “licentious” and “freely immoral”.  Blake feels that he is trapped, and he experiences London as a very corrupt and immoral place.  An example of his inability to break free from London’s immorality and despair is highlighted in verse 2, line 4;

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“The mind-forged manacles I hear”

Wordsworth focuses on the scenery of London, whereas Blake tends to pay most of his attention to the people of London.

Wordsworth uses personification.  He personifies the sun, river and the city.

“…this city now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning;”

This gives the impression that the city is alive.  This could mean that the city takes the beauty of the morning to disguise its dirtiness and ugliness.

 “…the river glideth at his own sweet will:”

This is a personification giving the river a “will”, something which is unique to ...

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