Poetic Analysis of the poem Upon Westminster Bridge.

The poem 'Upon Westminster Bridge' is one of William Wordsworth’s most famous sonnets. Sonnet is 14-line poem.  It describes the calm and quiet of the city early in the morning as Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy crossed Westminster Bridge on July 31, 1802, during their journey from London to Calais.

This sonnet is written in the Italian style, with the first eight lines (the octave) and the last six lines (the sestet) contrasting the noisy, busy day with the peaceful, quiet morning. The poet’s feelings of peace and calm are shared with the reader. The last line clearly shows the difference between the bustling activities of the day and the stillness of dawn: “And all that mighty heart is lying still.”

The poem has two parts, the very first part of the poem is of eight lines (the octave). It provide us a beautiful view of London in the early morning. The poet describes the city as quiet, calm, and shining in the clear, smokeless air. He talks about ships, towers, theaters, and churches, all peaceful and glittering in the morning light.

Wordsworth says this view is so amazing that nothing else on Earth can be more beautiful. He feels that anyone who doesn’t appreciate this sight must have no feelings. The city looks like it is covered in a bright, light morning dress. It is silent, peaceful, and open to the sky, with the river flowing and ships resting quietly.

The second part of the poem is of six lines  (the sestet) In the last six lines of the poem, Wordsworth talks about the beautiful sunlight of the morning. He says the sun has never looked as grand or beautiful shining on valleys, rocks, or hills as it does on this morning.

The poet says he has never felt such deep peace before. The River Thames flows smoothly and calmly in its natural path. He feels thankful to God for this quiet moment where even the houses seem still, as if they are asleep. It feels like the heart of the busy city has stopped for a moment to admire the peaceful beauty of nature. This calm and quiet morning is very different from the noisy and busy city life during the day.

Poetic Appreciation of Upon Westminister Bridge

"Upon Westminister Bridge" is a Sonnet composed by the renowned British Nature  Poet William Wordsworth. Sonnet is a fourteen lines poem, this is a Petrarchan Sonnet with Octave and Sestet. Octave, the first part has eight lines, Sestet, the second part has six lines.  The poem has a regular rhyme scheme that is abba, abba, cdcd, cd.  

The present poem is a beautiful and vivid description of the city of London experienced by the poet when he had been crossing the bridge early in the morning. He had been highly fascinated by the gorgeous beauty of the city of London enabled him to take pause and enjoy the beauty from the Westminister bridge located on the River Thames. 

The poem is full of figures of speech as the poet uses the poet has used poetic devices like simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, and hyperbole. 'This city now doth, like a garment, wear the beauty of the morning' is the best example of Simile as it creates the beautiful image by comparison. The poet is enthralled by the panoramic landscape, beauty, calm and quiet nature before him.

The Tone of the poem changes from overwhelmed to calm. The poem starts with an observation and ends with a conclusion. The sublime nature of the Poet towards God undoubtedly proved the fact that he is the nature poet. 

The language of the poem despite being figurative is easy to understand. I personally like this poem very much as it creates a beautiful picture of the city of London. It also arouses the feeling for nature and its beauty. 

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