Composed upon Westminster Bridge (William Wordsworth)

Composed upon Westminster Bridge is a sonnet by William Wordsworth that captures the speaker's awe and admiration for the beauty of London as seen from Westminster Bridge in the early morning. The poem describes the stillness and tranquillity of the cityscape, highlighting its architectural grandeur and natural beauty. Through vivid imagery and contemplative language, Wordsworth celebrates the harmony between nature and civilisation, expressing a profound sense of wonder and appreciation for the urban landscape. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 by William Wordsworth

Earth has not anything to show more fair: 

 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, domes, 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!

Analysis:

Title Significance:

The title, "Composed upon Westminster Bridge," situates the poem in a specific location and emphasises the role of the bridge as the vantage point from which the speaker observes the scene.

Setting:

The poem is set on Westminster Bridge in London, in the early morning. The setting is characterised by its architectural landmarks, such as the domes, towers, and steeples of the city, as well as the natural beauty of the River Thames and surrounding landscape.

Imagery and Sensory Language:

Wordsworth employs vivid imagery and sensory language to evoke the sights and sounds of London at dawn, such as "silent" streets, "glittering" domes, and "majesty" of the city. The imagery creates a vivid sense of place and enhances the reader's experience of the scene described in the poem.

Structure:

The poem follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, consisting of an octave and a sestet, with a volta (or turn) between the two. The structure reflects the speaker's contemplative mood, with the volta marking a shift from the physical description of the city to the speaker's emotional response.

Tone and Mood:

The tone is contemplative and reverent, with a sense of awe and admiration for the beauty and grandeur of the cityscape. The mood is tranquil and meditative, inviting the reader to share in the speaker's sense of wonder and appreciation for the scene before them.

Themes:

Beauty of Nature and Civilisation: The poem celebrates the harmony between nature and human achievement, portraying the urban landscape as a thing of beauty and wonder.

Transience and Permanence: Wordsworth reflects on the fleeting nature of human experience and the enduring majesty of the natural and built environment.

Urban and Rural Contrasts: The poem juxtaposes the bustling cityscape with the quietude of the natural world, highlighting the contrast between urban and rural landscapes.

Symbolism:

The "majesty" of the city and the "glittering" domes symbolize the grandeur and beauty of human civilisation. The "silent" streets and "smokeless air" symbolise the stillness and tranquillity of the early morning hour.

Language and Diction:

Wordsworth's language is lyrical and evocative, with an emphasis on precise detail and vivid imagery. The use of enjambment and alliteration adds musicality and rhythm to the poem, enhancing its sensory impact.

Conclusion:

Composed upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth is a sonnet that celebrates the beauty and grandeur of London as seen from Westminster Bridge in the early morning. Through vivid imagery and contemplative language, Wordsworth captures the speaker's sense of awe and admiration for the harmony between nature and civilisation, expressing a profound appreciation for the urban landscape and its enduring majesty.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Time and Place Poetry Anthology Poems here.