Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802
Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802
Earth has not anything to show more air:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, dome’s, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
– William Wordsworth
वेस्टमिन्स्टर पुलमा लेखिएको, ३ सेप्टेम्बर १८०२
धरतीले यसभन्दा सुन्दर दृश्य देखाउन सक्दैन,
त्यो आत्मा नै निस्तेज हुन्छ जसले यसलाई नहेरी हिँड्छ।
यति गम्भीर र सम्मानित दृश्य!
यो सहरले बिहानको सौन्दर्यलाई
नयाँ लुगा जस्तै ओढेको छ;
शान्त, नाङ्गो, जहाज, गढी, गुम्बा, रंगमञ्च र मन्दिरहरू
सबै खुला छन् खेत र आकाशतर्फ;
धुवाँरहित हावामा उज्यालो र चम्किलो देखिन्छन्।
सूर्यले कहिल्यै यसरी सुन्दर रूपमा
पहाड, उपत्यका वा चट्टानलाई सुनौलोपनमा नभिजाएको होला।
मैले कहिल्यै यस्तो गहिरो शान्ति नदेखेको, नअनुभव गरेको छु।
नदी आफैंको मीठो इच्छाअनुसार बगिरहेको छ।
हे भगवान्! घरहरू समेत निदाएको जस्तो देखिन्छन्;
र त्यो विशाल मुटु पनि निश्चल पल्टिरहेको छ।
— विलियम वर्ड्सवर्थ
Analysis of the poem
This poem is a petrarchan sonnet of fourteen lines from which first eight lines are octave and the last six lines are sestet. Westminster Bridge is a famous bridge over the River Thames, located next to the House of Parliament. It was built in 1750. It overlooks the busy city of London. this poem features a speaker sharing his impressions of the view from Westminster Bridge. The poem initiates with the description of the sights and feelings of a quiet early morning before the city starts its activities. The poet focuses on the importance of both artificial and natural beauty. He gives more priority to natural beauty.
In the first three lines of this poem, William Wordsworth begins by describing the view from Westminster Bridge and praises it. He says that the person, who could see such a touching or majestic sight of nature but just carry-on walking past without stopping to admire the view, would be soulless indeed.
From line number 4th to 8th London is mentioned to wear the morning’s beauty like a garment. The ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples artificially enhance the beauty of the city but they are also silent and bare at the time of sunrise which naturally adds a cap in them. These buildings seem to be adapting themselves to nature. They lie open to the fields and the sky. It appears as if the London buildings are between earthly beauty and the beauty of the heavens, and exist not in contrast to them but as a natural bridge between them. The workaday (rif) has not started yet, so the wheels of industries are still and air is smokeless, clear and clean.
From line number 9th to 11th the sun is seen be appearing with full radiance. The same radiance is seen early in the morning as it falls on the piece of land, surrounded by mountains, a large and tall piece of stone, and naturally raised area of land. London is normally a city of din and bustle. The prevailing silence of the atmosphere early in the morning, therefore, surprises the poet and he says that he has never felt so deep quietude in Nature.
Even the Thames seems to be flowing slowly and smoothly through the city without any obstruction. Invoking God the poet says that the people of houses appear to be sleeping. Actually noisy environment with normal activities of Londoners have not started yet. The town has been, perhaps, personified as a giant that is still sleeping peacefully.
Book exercise
A. Consult a dictionary and write the meanings of the following words.
a. doth: an archaic form of the verb “do,” used in the third person singular present tense, indicating an action or state performed by someone or something.
b. majesty: grandeur, dignity, or impressive beauty that commands respect or admiration; the quality or state of being majestic.
c. domes: rounded, usually roof-like structures that often form a part of a building or monument, typically with a circular or polygonal base and a curved or pointed top.
d. glittering: shining or sparkling brightly with reflected light; having a brilliant or captivating appearance.
e. splendour: great beauty, elegance, or magnificence; impressive and visually stunning features or qualities.
f. glideth: an archaic form of the verb “glide,” used in the third person singular present tense, indicating a smooth, effortless, or graceful movement.
g. mighty: possessing great power, strength, or influence; exceptionally large, impressive, or formidable.
B. Complete the summary of the poem choosing the correct words/phrases.
Answer : A speaker shares his impressions of the view from Westminster Bridge in the poem ‘Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802″ by William Wordsworth. The speaker finds the city of London with the countryside in the Earth, creating the most beautiful scene. According to him, anyone who does not stop at the Westminster Bridge to see the scene that morning should be dull. The city wins the heart of the speaker as it is wearing straightforward magnificence.
It is early morning when the speaker describes the majesty of the city. The various landmarks visible from the bridge stand before him in all their glittering splendour in the morning light. The speaker finds himself lucky as there is no “London fog” to hide the view. According to the speaker, the sun is shining on the buildings as it shines on the countryside. He is also surprised to feel more peace in the bustling city of London than anywhere else. The River Thames moves slowly beneath him. He also thinks that the city is happily asleep before another busy day.
C. Answer these questions.
a. When was the poem composed?
Answer : The poem “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802” was composed on September 3, 1802.
b. According to the speaker, who is dull of soul?
Answer : According to the speaker, anyone who does not stop at Westminster Bridge to see the scene that morning is dull of soul.
c. How does the poet describe the beauty of morning?
Answer : The poet describes the beauty of morning as having a majestic and serene quality. He।highlights the stillness and peacefulness of the city in the early morning light.
d. What does the word ‘garment’ refer to? Who is wearing it?
Answer : The word ‘garment’ refers to the clothing or attire of the city of London. The poet describes the city as wearing the garment of straightforward magnificence.
e. How does the poet feel when he sees such a beautiful sight?
Answer : When the poet sees such a beautiful sight, he feels a sense of awe and wonder. He is deeply moved by the scene and feels a connection to the beauty of nature and the city.
f. Why does the poet use the words like: valley, rock and hill?
Answer : The poet uses words like “valley,” “rock,” and “hill” to create a contrast between the natural landscape and the urban environment. By employing these nature-related terms, the poet emphasizes the beauty of London’s cityscape and portrays it as harmoniously blending with the surrounding natural elements.
g. What impression of London does the speaker create? How does he do that?
Answer : The speaker creates an impression of London as a magnificent and awe-inspiring city. He portrays it as a place of grandeur and beauty, highlighting its architectural landmarks and the peacefulness of the morning scene. The speaker achieves this by using vivid imagery, describing the glittering buildings, the calm river, and the radiant sunlight that bathes the city.
h. What is the main theme of the poem?
Answer : The main theme of the poem is the sublime beauty and peacefulness of nature and the city. The poet expresses his profound appreciation for the captivating scene he witnesses on Westminster Bridge. The poem celebrates the harmony between urban life and the natural world, highlighting the transformative power of।beauty and the profound effect it can have on the human spirit.
Extra 25 Question For Examination View
A. Answers to the given questions:
1. Who would be a dull soul?
Answer:- A dull soul would be someone who could not appreciate the beauty of the sight described in the poem.
2. Who has composed this poem?
Answer:- William Wordsworth has composed this poem.
3. When was the poem composed?
Answer:- The poem was composed on September 3, 1802.
4. What is the name of the river mentioned in the poem?
Answer:- The River Thames is mentioned in the poem.
5. Who is wearing a garment?
Answer:- The City is wearing the beauty of the morning like a garment.
6. What was the sight like?
Answer:- The sight was described as touching in its majesty, silent, bare, bright, and glittering.
7. How does the poet feel when he sees such a beautiful sight?
Answer:- The poet feels calm and serene when he sees such a beautiful sight.
8. What is the beauty of the morning like?
Answer:- The beauty of the morning is described as bright, glittering, and smokeless.
9. Why does the poet use the words like: valley, rock, and hill?
Answer:- The poet uses the words “valley, rock, and hill” to compare the beauty of the city to the natural world.
10. How is the air in the morning?
Answer:- The air in the morning is described as smokeless.
11. What are glittering in the smokeless air?
Answer:- The ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples are glittering in the smokeless air.
12. What is the theme of the poem?
Answer:- The theme of the poem is the beauty and majesty of nature and the city, and the peace and calmness that can be found in observing it.
13. What time of day is it when the poem takes place?
Answer:- It is early morning, as the city is described as “silent, bare”, and the sun is “steep in his first splendour”.
14. What is the weather like?
Answer:- The weather is clear and sunny, as the air is “smokeless” and the buildings are “bright and glittering”.
15. What is the mood of the poem?
Answer:- The mood of the poem is one of peace, tranquillity, and awe.
16. What literary devices are used in the poem?
Answer:- The poem uses several literary devices, including personification, metaphor, simile, and imagery.
17. What is the effect of the Petrarchan sonnet form?
Answer:- The Petrarchan sonnet form helps to create a sense of order and balance in the poem.
18. What is the significance of the city of London in the poem?
Answer:- The city of London represents the power and majesty of human creation.
19. How does the poem connect to the Romantic movement?
Answer:- The poem reflects the Romantic interest in nature, emotion, and imagination.
20. How does the poem differ from other Romantic poems?
Answer:- The poem is less emotional and more objective than many other Romantic poems.
21. What is the historical context of the poem?
Answer:- The poem was written during the Industrial Revolution, which was a time of great change and upheaval in Britain.
22. How does the poem reflect the poet’s personal experiences?
Answer:- The poem reflects the poet’s love of nature and his appreciation for the beauty of the city.
23. What are some of the criticisms of the poem?
Answer:- Some critics have argued that the poem is too sentimental and idealised.
24. What are some of the poem’s strengths?
Answer:- The poem’s strengths include its vivid imagery, its use of language, and its exploration of universal themes.
25. How has the poem been interpreted by different readers?
Answer:- The poem has been interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader’s own background and experiences.
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