London

Question 1

‘Marks of weakness, marks of woe.’

Answer 1

-‘Marks’ (noun) is repeated which demonstrates the permanent impact of power.
-This suggests it’s like a branding.
-Perhaps the marks are symbolic and the speaker is marking them on people as he walks through London, raises the question of whether it’s actually real (?)

Question 2

‘Blights with plagues the marriage hearse.’

Answer 2

-‘Marriage’ usually connotes safety, unity and tranquillity. Yet, in London, the society juxtaposes this and it has a secondary meaning (a trap).
-‘Plagues’ suggests its like a disease, it continues to rot until it no longer can - there is no hope to rise against the institution and to save individualism.
-Oxymoron is utilised - no hope for society
-Patriarchal element to show who has the power in society.

Question 3

Form + structure of London

Answer 3

-uniform stanza length (quatrains) so that the message was accessible to everyone.
-conversational tone.
-ABAB rhyme scheme - sound of the speaker walking; repetitive nature.

Question 4

Context of London

Answer 4

-Blake was a romantic poet
-Blake believed London was corrupt both physically and metaphorically - huge disparity between those who had power and those who didn’t.
-He rejected organised religion, viewing it as corrupt and hypocritical.