Wordsworth’s language is very formal. He uses formal standard punctuation. This gives the effect that everything is wonderful. When you speak formally, it conveys a more elegant and luxurious atmosphere. This is complimented by his use of vocabulary. Blake, however, uses very different language and imagery. His use of language conveys his negative feeling for the city. This is shown by ‘curse’ the use of no positive observations. His use of repetition ‘misery’ also conveys his dislike for London. Blake is talking about the people, the way their lives are being destroyed by the city ‘every cry…every man’. This conveys that everybody is crying and upset and life is never happy. In ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ there is lots more reference to buildings and sites ‘ships, towers, domes…’. This helps to convey its splendour, as the buildings have no emotions. Although William Wordsworth does personify the buildings ‘houses seem asleep’. Wordsworth has done this to show peacefulness and it also helps to show splendour.
The structure to ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ is not very strong on first reading, but on close inspection is quite subtle. There are no verses so this is the reason for the structure seeming weak. There is some rhythm created through the use of rhyming words ‘lie…sky’. This allows smooth flowing of discussion. The use of punctuation slows down the speed ‘valley, rock or hill’. This allows the reader time to visualise and contemplate over the scene. William Wordsworths’ use of semicolons throughout the poem emphasises the words that follow, as it causes the reader to pause. The use of emphasis conveys great suspense, which helps create wonder and marvel inside the reader’s mind. William Blake uses a very strict structure that is constructed of four stanzas, each with four lines. This creates a regular rhyming scheme ‘street…meet’. This gives the feeling of almost a chance. The rhythm helps the repetition fit into the poem. You almost don’t notice the repetition as the rhythm moves you along. As the poem moves you along, you seem to become weary and so helps you to understand the misery of the poem.
‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ uses lots of references to ‘Majesty’. This conjures images of riches and celebrations that helps to covey wonder. Wordsworth suggests a presence of nature ‘fields’ but there is no presence of nature in ‘London’. Nature is thought of as almost a miracle and so Wordsworth uses this to show splendour. ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ shows cleanness ‘smokeless air’ whereas ‘London’ is ‘blackening’. This shows two very different perspectives of the same city. ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ is always very peaceful and ‘calm’, whereas ‘London’ is filled with noise and ‘cries’. This is significant as it successfully conveys the poet’s feelings towards London.
The most significant difference between the two poems is the perspective of where the poet wrote the poems. ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ is written from an overview of the city and so William Wordsworth has and idealistic view of London, the ‘mighty heart’ of the whole country. ‘London’, however, is really in the heart of London and so William Blake has a realistic view of London, the poverty of London ‘runs in blood down palace walls’. The only similarity between the two poems is that they are both based on London.
I prefer ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’ as I am an optimistic person, and try to look for the best in everything. This poem is very fresh and uplifting, it made me feel happy and so I preferred reading it. Although I prefer ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge’, I found ‘London’ the most effective. After reading ‘London’. I felt very emotional, as it was very thought provoking, and filled with lots of negative imagery which stays in your mind. It was also filled with ver strong negative emotions, which effected my emotions much more than positive ones.
