Composed upon Westminster Bridge
1. What is the impact of the closing two lines?
‘Dear God! The very houses seem asleep And all that mighty heart is lying still’
William Woodsworth makes the two closing lines rather conversational. ‘Dear God!’ He also uses exclamation marks ‘still!’ which describe how he feels and how breathless and amazed he is. ‘Dear God’ is usually used when we are overwhelmed by something; which explains William Woodsworth’s feelings. He is overwhelmed by the view and the peacefulness of the place. ‘The way the houses seem asleep;’ this emphasizes the idea that everything is peaceful and quiet, which links with ‘still’, ‘silent, and calm in the beginning of the poem. ‘Dear God...seem asleep’ gives us the sense that he is full of wonder and disbelief. ‘And all that mighty heart’ It is an interesting comparison he makes here. The city, when it is busy with everyone out and about is like a heart beating away, full of life. ‘Mighty’ is used because the city is huge and magnificent, just like a heart.
2. How does the poet make plain and simple language convey his experience so effectively?
The poet uses simple language throughout the poem and yet his experience is conveyed so effectively. This is achieved through the use of a rhyming scheme, sibilance’s, similes, negative phrases, lists, personifications, animisms and metaphors. The rhyming scheme used divides the poem into two pieces. It is abba abba and cdcdcd. The first part of the poem establishes the scene and sets things up. ‘Earth has not…so touching in its majesty’ builds up the poem, creating the sense of anticipation. It also exaggerates the effect it will create. He cannot believe how beautiful London is. The poets is saying that it is a beautiful thing he is seeing and if you do not get it or understand it, then you are dull, emphasizes how grand the sight is. It...