upOn the Bridge of Westminster- questions answers
1. Write a note on London, as described by Wordsworth in his poem “upOn the Bridge of Westminster”
Wordsworth, the poet, paints a beautiful picture of London in his work “Upon the Westminster Bridge,”. The natural beauty of the city as viewed from Westminster Bridge in the early morning, soaked in the glory of the rising sun, has struck him deeply. The city of London seemed to have dressed in the splendor of the morning. There was a tremendous sense of tranquility throughout the room. In the smokeless air, ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples gleam brilliantly. The metropolis has melded with the surrounding green meadows and the clear sky above. It appears as the sun has never shone brighter. The poet has never experienced such tranquility. The Thames is a free-flowing river. The poet is filled with joy as he sees the city in such a peaceful state, and he thanks God for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
2. Wordsworth as a natural poet—- define
Wordsworth is largely regarded as a naturalist poet, with the majority of his poetry evocatively describing the natural world and rural life. Upon Westminster Bridge is one of the few poems by Wordsworth that describes the urban landscape. In this poem, the poet also personifies the city, saying that it wears the stark morning like a beautiful cloth. All of these lie open “to the fields, and to the sky,” he says, integrating built and natural architecture “. All of these sparkle in the smokeless air. Wordsworth writes about a river that floats on its own accord. He has the impression that the city is alive. This is similar to his thoughts on daffodils and the Wye landscape. As a result, the poem speaks of nature and Wordsworth’s reverence for it, proving that he is primarily a poet of nature.
3.“A sight so touching in its majesty”―What ‘sight’ is referred to in the line? How does Wordsworth describe the ‘sight’?
The scene depicted here is that of the London metropolis in the early morning as viewed by William Wordsworth.
The poet is so struck with the sight of London city in the early morning that he describes to it as a sight in its majesty.’ London appears to be more lovely than any other place on the planet. It appears that the entire city of London is dressed in the splendor of the morning. Because it is extremely early in the morning, the air is smokeless and soundless. Ships, towers, domes, and theaters gleam in the morning’s smokeless air. The river appears to be flowing according to his ‘own sweet desire.’ The poet has never experienced such tranquility before. The whole city of London appears to be dozing off.
4. What is the significance of Wordsworth’s poem’s use of the word “God”? What does he mean when he says “that tremendous heart of yours?
Wordsworth summons God with an exclamation in his poem “Upon Westminster Bridge.” He appears to thank the Almighty for allowing him to witness the exquisite, profound, and serene beauty of London, which fills his mind with delight.
‘That mighty heart,’ says the narrator. Wordsworth uses the personification of London. This is the nation’s capital and the hub of all of the country’s activities. As a result, the city has been referred to as England’s great heart. “That mighty heart” is said to be sleeping in the poem, allowing the poet to enjoy the city’s wonderful morning beauty without being disturbed.
5. Justify the title of the poem –“Composed Upon the Westminster Bridge,”
“Composed Upon the Westminster Bridge,” the archetypal poem which describes Wordsworth’s reaction to the wonderful sight, the beauty of London’s cityscape. In 1802, early in the morning, on his trip to Dover from London in a coach with his sister Dorothy, he is strongly moved by the extraordinary beauty of the city as seen from Westminster Bridge over the Thames. The spectacle was wonderful, the sun was shining brightly, and everything in the city was shimmering in the smokeless air. It appeared to be dressed in a new outfit. The beautiful silence all around comforted his soul as the city merged with the nearby countryside and the sky above. This filled him with excitement and wonder, prompting him to write this charming sonnet. In fact, the title makes it plain what the occasion is. so It is appropriate from that standpoint.
6.”This city now doth, like a garment wear/ The beauty of the morning;”
In the context of the poem, explain the line.
The ‘city’ in this case refers to London. While passing the West Minister Bridge, the poet takes in the sights of the city. He is so taken aback by London’s scenic beauty that he relates it to a lady attired in the morning splendor of his poetic imagination.
The scenic calm beauty of London city drenched in the golden rays of the early morning sun fills the poet’s soul with such joy and pleasure that he uses the literary method simile to compare the metropolis to a lady. A pretty lady wears lovely clothing to enhance her beauty. The same may be said for the city. The sun’s golden rays are like a lovely gown that the city wears to enhance its attractiveness. The word ‘now’ in the first line denotes the time of day when the poet is feeling this way. Perhaps the city will be obliged to replace the lovely outfit after the morning is done. In fact, the poet personified the metropolis in order to imbue it with ethereal beauty.