Another difference in perspective is Blake’s poem is written at ‘Midnight’, this is the time when most of the poor and bad are around. Wordsworth’s is written his poem in the early morning while most are sleeping, (‘The beauty of the morning’ and ‘Houses seem asleep’). This is a main difference between the poems; this has also determined which view of London poets/we are getting.
Another difference is the view of London both poems are giving. Wordsworth’s poem targets London as an excellent majestic and peaceful landscape. It mainly looks at London as a landscape. Phrases such as Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie’, ‘valley, rock or hill’ and ‘open upon the fields and to the sky’ show this. ‘All bright and glittering’ is a description that shows that Wordsworth feels London is like a star. ‘This city now doth, like a garment, wear the beauty of the morning’, creates the image that London is a person which every morning clothes with beauty.
On the other hand, Blake’s poem gives us a completely different view. The words ‘cry’, ‘tear’, ‘sigh’ and ‘curse’, show us that Blake feels London’s people are sad and upset. The quotation ‘Marks of weakness, marks of woe’ shows London’s people are weak and distressed, these are powerful and immediately tell you that London is not a happy, joyful place. The whole of the 3rd verse is very crucial and tells us that London’s people don’t care about each other. The word ‘Chimney sweeper’ tells us that many children die because of chimney sweeping, this also shows that parents are selling many young boys for trade to get their own money. The Church literally blackened itself from soot (not taking care of the boys). The verse also shows that many soldiers’ blood literally runs down palace walls (this shows that lives are being lost unnecessarily) . The end to the poem is a little confusing. He describes a prostitute’s curse as something that causes an infant cry. This means that the prostitute is so dangerous. Blake uses the words ‘marriage hearse’ to describe marriage. Does he mean the harlot has ruined the marriage? Or is he linking marriage to death? These points create the negative image of London.
Despite all these differences, similarities are there. Obviously, there are similarities such as both written about London, both being poems and both written in about the same time. But one of the main similarities is the fact that both poems are written in the present tense (Blake – ‘wander’, Wordsworth – ‘bright and glittering). Another rare similarity is the fact that both use metaphors and personification effectively.
Blake uses the phrase ‘mind-forg’d manacles’ shows that the population of London is chained mentally and physically. It is used to great effect. This makes you think of prisoners. While, Wordsworth uses clever personification in describing London as ‘the mighty heart’. If the heart stops working our body stops working and likewise if London stops working then the whole of England stops working, this was used to excellent effect.
After reading and comparing both poems, I liked them both equally because Wordsworth’s poem was easier to understand with the language not too complicated. It also seemed peaceful, joyful and made you feel happier. But Blake’s poem looked deeper into London (therefore was harder to understand). Unlike, Wordsworth’s it described people. It seemed to give you a honest and detailed view of London.
I think both poems were equally good!