The capital of Great Britain appears in works of different writers and poets for centuries. And all these authors created different images of London. Traditionally, people think about the river Thames, Big Ben, red two-storey buses, the Tower and other sightseeing attractions, when they hear about London. This list can be complemented with fog and grey paved streets. Author’s impression of London depended up their own experience and (or) general mood. That is why William Wordsworth and William Blake created totally different images of one city in their poems Composed Upon Westminster Bridge and London. The contrast is more significant because both works appeared in the similar period of time. Blake’s poem was first published in 1794 and Wordsworth’s poem appeared eight years later in 1802.
Wordsworth created appositive, rapturous image of London. “Earth has not anything to show more fair” (Wordsworth l. 1), the author shows that the city is amazing. However, readers see in following lines that this opinion is not full. Wordsworth is focused on London’s architecture, landscapes and weather: “This City now doth, like a garment, wear Never did sun more beautifully steep The river glideth at his own sweet will” (Wordsworth l. 4, 9 12). The author does not say anything about London’s inhabitants. It looks like he does not see them and this is one of the facts why the city is so beautiful. The poem creates an impression of an early morning: “Dear God! the very houses seem asleep” (Wordsworth l. 13). Wordsworth is impressed by London’s frame and his opinion is not affected by living conditions. The author raves about the beauty of the city at a certain point; he shows readers the external cover. Blake’s work demonstrates the opposite side or the inner face of the situation.
The second author focused on people in his poem. Blake mentioned Thames in the second line, but it was the only geographical referencing in the work; most part of it is focused on people. The author created the picture of sorrow and despair with their help: “And mark in every face I meet. Marks of weakness, marks of woe” (Blake l. 3-4). Blake says that every person in London suffers regardless of sex, age or social status. The author does not see any advantages of London’s architecture. There are only chartered streets in his eyes, because Blake focuses on people’s life conditions. The author claims that London’s inhabitants are falling to the bottom and he fares to see their future: “Blasts the new-born Infant's tear, and blights with plagues the Marriage hearse” (Blake l. 15-16). It is possible to say that Blake thought the city is doomed.
Blake’s and Wordsworth’s images of London can be compared with the joke “the tourism should not be confused with the emigration”. Wordsworth presented tourist’s opinion – the author showed London in a direct period of time (early morning) and focused on the architecture and landscapes, because they were new and interesting for him. Blake reflected a position of an immigrant or a native Londoner. The man got used to the city’s sightseeing attractions and focused on people and their problems. Blake’s character wanders through London’s streets and knows their background. That is why authors created opposite images of the city. Wordsworth described it as an enthusiastic tourist who sees only the one part of the picture. Blake demonstrated the inner problems that are accessible for an experienced Londoner. While both authors talk about the same city, they describe its different layers that explains differences between poems’ mood.
Works Cited
Blake, William. “London”. Sparknotes.com. n. d. Web. 10 June 2016.
Wordsworth, William. “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge”. Shmoop.com. n. d. Web. 10 June 2016.
