Westminister Bridge Flashcards
Summarize the Sonnet Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth
In this 14 lined Italian sonnet, the persona crosses the Westminster bridge and sees a sight that he never has before. To him, the city in the early morning is more beautiful than he ever considered it to be. He notices small details about the stillness and beauty all around.
What is the Sonnet about?
The sonnet is an expression of the personas admiration of the world around him
What is the theme of the sonnet?
Natural Beauty
What is the tone of the sonnet?
Reverent and celebratory of natures beauty.
What is the mood of the sonnet?
Amazement
What does the line earth has not anything to show more fair mean?
It is a hyperbole, an over exaggeration because he is saying it’s the most ‘fair’ thing the whole earth has to offer. He is caught in the beauty of the moment.
What does the line Dull would he be of soul who could pass by a sight so touching in its majesty?
The persona shows his admiration of the sight by saying that you would have to be dull of soul to be able to simply walk past the majestic sight.
What does the line This city now doth, like a garment, wear the beauty of the morning; silent, bare, mean?
Using a simile the city is said to wear the mornings beauty like a garment. This gives the impression of clothes settling smoothly on a persons body. Hence, the beauty of the morning settles over the city perfectly, with the silence and emptiness signaling the beginning of a new day.
What does the line Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie open unto the fields, and to the sky; all bright and glittering in the smokeless air mean?
The man made structures seem beautiful in the morning air since no factories or vehicles have begun to release smoke into the air yet as it is early in the morning.
What does the line Never did sun more beautifully steep in his first splendor, valley, rock, or hill; mean?
Is it a hyperbole expressing his admiration, saying the sun has never looked this beautiful and makes the magnificence of the valley and hills more apparent. Steep in his first splendor describes the sun at sunrise as it is the first part of day it is seen
What does the line Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! Mean?
The personas admiration seems to reach its peak, where the wonder of the sight around him is overwhelming, but admirable. in what could be considered a hyperbole he says that he has never felt a calm so deep.
What does the line The river glideth at his own sweet will mean?
The personification of the river describes how it seems tranquil as it is usually disturbed by boats, but now it is able to glide at its own pace.
What does the line Dear God! The very houses seem asleep;
The persona likely states the presence of god linking it to such a serene scene. The houses are being personified by saying they are asleep and seem at peace because the people in them are unmoving
What does the line And all that mighty heart is lying still mean?
This like could be described as the city of London, the heart, usually a very busy place being restful and silent in the morning.
How do you remember the lines?
Every day a triple threat sails over all nations interesting never to die alone
