SUMMARY OF SONNET COMPOSED UPON WESTMINISTER BRIDGE This poem is written by a poet of nature William Wordsworth.

The poet tells in t his poem that "Earth has not anything to show more fair." This statement is sur prising because Wordsworth is not speaking of nature, but of the city. He goes o n to list the beautiful man-made entities therein, such as "Ships, towers, domes , theatres and temples." when the speaker relates that the city is "open to the fields, and to the sky." While the city itself may not be a part of nature, it is certainly not in conflict with nature. This becomes even more clear in the ne xt line, when the reader learns that the air is "smokeless" (free from pollution ). Wordsworth continues to surprise his reader by saying that the sun has never sho ne more beautifully, even on natural things. He then personifies the scene, givi ng life to the sun, the river, the houses, and finally to the whole city, which has a symbolic heart. The reader imagines that the city's heart beats rapidly du ring the day, while everything and everyone in it is bustling about, but now, in the early morning hours, the city's heart is "lying still." By using personific ation in his poem, Wordsworth brings a kind of spirit to the city, which is usua lly seen as a simple construction of rock and metal. MESSAGE: The message of this poem is Wisdom begins in wonder. Lines EARTH HAS NOT ANY THING TO SHOW MORE FAIR: DULL WOULD HE BE OF SOUL WHO COULD PASS BY A SIGHT SO TOUCHING IN ITS MAJESTY: REFERENCE: The given lines are an extract from the poem Sonnet Composed Upon Wes tminster Bridge written by William Words Worth. CONTEXT: The poet describes and appreciates the beauty and tranquil atmosphere o f the city of London as he looks at it in the early hours of morning. He conside rs it to be the most splendid, wonderful and charming sight in the world and bel ieves that every one is bound to be impressed by it. EXPLANATION: As the poet stands upon the Westminster Bridge at dawn, he admires the beauty of the city of London. According to him, it is the most charming sigh t in the world. He feels that no onlooker can remain unimpressed by it. However, if one is not affected by the beauty and tranquility of the sight, it implies t hat he has lost all aesthetic sense and is devoid of all finer emotions. Lines THIS CITY NOW DOTH, LIKE A GARMENT WEAR THE BEAUTY OF THE MORNING; SILENT, BARE, SHIPS, TOWERS, DOMES, THEATRES AND TEMPLES LIE OPEN UNTO THE FIELDS, AND TO THE SKY; ALL BRIGHT AND GLITTERING IN THE SMOKELESS AIR. REFERENCE: The given lines are an extract from the poem Sonnet Composed Upon Wes tminster Bridge written by William Words Worth.

CONTEXT: The poet describes and appreciates the beauty and tranquil atmosphere o f the city of London as he looks at it in the early hours of morning. He conside rs it to be the most splendid, wonderful and charming sight in the world and bel ieves that every one is bound to be impressed by it. EXPLANATION: The poet describes the city as he observes it in the early hours of the day. The city of London seems to be wearing the dress of beauty and serenit y. Everything can be seen clearly sparkling in the fog less surrounding. While s tanding on the bridge, the poet can observe the ships sailing, the towers and do mes of buildings, the different places of worship and amusement. Since the atmos phere is free from smoke and pollution, everything seems to be dazzling in the r ays of the rising sun. Lines NEVER DID SUN MORE BEAUTIFULLY STEEP IN HIS FIRST SPLENDOUR VALLEY, ROCK OR HILL; NE ER SAW I, NEVER FELT, A CALM SO DEEP! THE RIVER GLIDETH AT HIS OWN SWEET WILL; DEAR GOD! THE VERY HOUSES SEEM ASLEEP; AND ALL THAT MIGHTY HEART IS LYING STILL! REFERENCE: The given lines are an extract from the poem Sonnet Composed Upon Wes tminster Bridge written by William Words Worth. CONTEXT: The poet describes and appreciates the beauty and tranquil atmosphere o f the city of London as he looks at it in the early hours of morning. He conside rs it to be the most splendid, wonderful and charming sight in the world and bel ieves that every one is bound to be impressed by it. EXPLANATION: The city of London appears to be coloured with golden tint of the m ajestic sun. The rays of the sun cover even the valleys and hills around the cos mopolitan city. The poet points out that he has not experienced such a peaceful atmosphere in his life. Moreover, he has never come across such an appealing and impressive view. He sees the River Thames flowing gently and smoothly under the bridge. He realizes that the entire city seems to be sounding asleep. All the p laces that are full of hustle and bustle and hectic activity are at this time se rene and peaceful. London being the heart of England is bubbling with life and a ctivity but at dawn, it appears to be at rest and presents a wonderful picture o f unrivalled charm and tranquility.