Wordsworth on the other hand presents us with a very different poem indeed. He writes about a beautiful, tranquil city full of delights. The poem was written in 1802, the year of his marriage to childhood friend Mary Hutchinson. He and Samuel Taylor Coleridge had launched the ‘Romantic Age’ in 1798 with the publication of ‘Lyrical Ballads’. In the Preface he gives his famous definition of poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings from emotions recollected in tranquillity”. He was a very expressive character who was not afraid to show his emotions. His innovative style crowned him England’s Poet Laureate from 1843 until his death in 1850. His sentimental approach to poetry shows in his sonnet ‘Composed upon Westminster Bridge’ and although he normally writes poems about nature (‘A night piece’, ‘Lines written in early Spring’) he still maintains his sensitive, gentlemanly approach. His poem was written during a new age of romantic literature that came after Blake’s depressive, almost angry era. Contrary to Blake, Wordsworth was not born in London. He was born in Cockermouth, which is in the scenic part of England called the Lake District. He wrote his poem during a visit to London and therefore he only saw the superficial beauty and not the underlying suffering.
The structure and form of the poem differs also. Blake uses a standard ‘abab’ rhyme scheme and limits his poem to four quatrains. The poem is short and direct, perfect for proving a point.
“Marks of weakness, marks of woe”
Blake’s intentions are to highlight the corruption that London is seeped in and to make it’s injustice apparent – it is basically propaganda. The poems blunt style reflects this, as he doesn’t want to describe the city, he just wants to put it to shame.
In contrast, Wordsworth writes his poem in the form of a sonnet, typically a love poem. His rhyme scheme is more complex ‘abbaabbacdcdcd’. Wordsworth writes as if he is in love with London and his style corresponds to the Romantic Age. He uses this form of poem to accentuate the femininity of London and it’s beauty.
“A sight so touching in its majesty”
As with all forms of literature, devices are a necessity to ensure its impact on the reader. These two poems are no different. Blake’s poem revolves around the central metaphor “Mind forg’d manacles” which implies that the people allow themselves to be dictated and restricted – it almost seems expected. Other devices like repetition emphasise this also.
“In every voice, in every ban”
The repetition emphasises the way things are enforced and that the tolerance and permissiveness becomes habitual. Oxymoron can be seen in the poem too. Used to create a contradictive description it helps to stress the conflict between authoritative figures and the public.
“Marriage hearse”
Using opposites together is a good way to demonstrate conflict. A newly married couple wouldn’t be associated with a funeral hearse, as they are opposite in the sense that the events they are linked to are at opposite ends of the scale. Marriage is the beginning and a funeral is the end.
Harsh sounds (labial plosives) such as “blast” or “blight” mirror the unfair and poor quality of life the public lead. The devices that Blake has chosen all assist his underlying intention of making the corruption and injustice in London known to the outside world.
Wordsworth has chosen to use his devices to highlight the beauty. He personifies London as a woman as if he is writing a love poem to her. Whilst he does not say “she” or “her” it is only to be expected that a man would write to a lady about her natural beauty and alluring features. The opening line is an example of hyperbole and is very definite.
“Earth has not anything to show more fair”
Simile can be seen in the line “This City now doth, like a garment, wear...” Wordsworth compares the early morning beauty of the city to a cloak that will later be removed. Clothing is a temporary item that can be changed and taken off at any time. He too uses repetition but this time it is to express his delight and enjoyment of the city.
“Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!”
Wordsworth also personifies the river to show that it is free and full of life (exactly the opposite to what Blake said!).
“The river glideth at his own sweet will”
The collection of devices in Wordsworth’s poem creates a calm, serene mental image of London, which is what he set out to do.
The language in both poems is typical of the late 18th century/early 19th century. Words are interrupted by apostrophes (“Charter’d”, “Ne’er”) and also words that are now extinct from everyday conversation such as “doth” can be seen as well. The language gives the poems character and a heightened sense of intelligence and sophistication.
In conclusion, both Blake and Wordsworth are extremely good poets who both express their emotion and opinions in a captivating and meaningful way. Despite having conflicting opinions it is easy to appreciate both sides of the story as it were, because of the passion and emotion knitted into the words and threaded into the sentences. If anything the poems prove that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
Additional information from www.wikipedia.org