The two poems "London" and "Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802".

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Gene Limbrick        12 Ma ii        02/05/2007

Poetry Comparison

        The romantic period was a very prolific period in poetry, producing some of the most important poets in the history of English literature. The poetry written by the romantics is very emotional and much more complex and advanced than that written previous. It provides and insight into the minds of the poets, and can show their thoughts and feelings. The two poems “London” and “Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802” or (“Westminster Bridge” shortened for the purpose of time saving) are perfect for comparison as each is about essentially the same thing, yet shows two completely different views on it.

        “London” was written by William Blake, who was born in 1752 and died in 1827. It shows his view of London, which he has accumulated within this time. This poem is quite depressing in tone, it’s bleak and negative about London on the whole.

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The first stanza is a first person account of walking through the streets, all of which are owned by the government, as is the Thames. He describes people who look weak and woeful. The second stanza describes how he can hear the restrictions on the people enforced by the government in the voices of the babies and men. He describes the strict laws as “mind-forg’d manacles”. The third stanza describes the church’s ignorance of the appalling trade of children chimney sweepers. He also describes they sooty residue, which makes the churches black, this could be conceived as a metaphor for ...

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