Compare and Contrast how William Blake and William Wordsworth Demonstrate Their Feelings for London in 'London' and 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge'

This essay will consider the similarities and differences between the two poems 'London' by William Blake and 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge' by William Wordsworth. It will focus upon their structures, content and poetic features. Finally, I will come to my own conclusion to which poem is most effective and how it is achieved.

The two poems were written at very different times of the day and also in history, which may be one of the main reasons why there is such a contrast between them. William Blake wrote 'London' during the Industrial Revolution when the city was being overcome by the changes that the revolution brought. He was writing at a time when there were many unpleasant things happening in society. The church was being corrupted, chimney sweep were dying whilst working and the streets were being plagued with "the youthful harlot's curse". Blake had been born in London and had lived their his whole life.

Wordsworth on Helvellyn

William Blake House

Portrait of William Blake by Thomas Phillips, 1807

He saw London at every time, causing him to forge the very negative view that he conveys in his poem.

On the other hand, , Wordsworth write his poem 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge' before ant of the turmoil of the revolution began . The time of day that the poem was wrote may have also influenced what he wrote about the city. Whereas Blake's poem was written in the hustle and bustle of the "midnight streets", Wordsworth wrote during the tranquillity of the morning when everyone was asleep. Wordsworth did not live in London, he was on holiday with his sister and was in complete awe of the "beauty of the morning".

'London' is written in quatrains, with eight syllables per line. The poem has a very apparent meter making it sound very structured when it was read aloud.