Class-XI
Poetry
Chapter- 1
Composed Upon Westminster Bridge
-William Wordsworth
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| Composed Upon Westminster Bridge Broad Questions and Answers |
Broad Questions and Answers (Long Questions and Answers)
1) Write down the substance of the poem Upon the Westminster Bridge.
OR
How does William Wordsworth paint the picture of London in the poem Upon the Westminster Bridge?
Ans: The poet is crossing the Westminster Bridge over the Thames in a coach early in the morning. The sun is just rising up and the great city of London is bathed in its first light. The poet is deeply moved by the beauty of the scene. It appears to him to be the loveliest sight. Nobody can ignore this unparalleled and splendid sight. And if there is any, he is definitely devoid of any sense of natural beauty. The city seems to wear a dress of golden sunbeams.
The city is totally silent and clearly visible. The sky is clear having no dust and no smoke. There is no noise in the atmosphere. All is calm and quiet. Everything of the city such as ships, towers, domes, theaters, temples etc is clearly visible even from the green fields that lie in distance in the unpolluted air of the early morning. All are brilliantly shining in the golden rays of the rising sun.The valley, rock and hill look lovely at sunrise. But the city of London is the loveliest. The river (Thames) flows freely. Its course is not obstructed by the movements of boats or ships. The very houses seem to be sleeping. London, the heart of the country, remains calm and quiet as if a roaring giant is stilled. The poet makes an impassioned address to God, the creator of all beauty upon the earth, to express his sincere gratitude to Him.
2) Discuss the poem Upon the Westminster Bridge as a sonnet.
Ans: The poet is crossing the Westminster Bridge over the Thames in a coach early in the morning. The sun is just rising up and the great city of London is bathed in its first light. The poet is deeply moved by the beauty of the scene. It appears to him to be the loveliest sight. Nobody can ignore this unparalleled and splendid sight. And if there is any, he is definitely devoid of any sense of natural beauty.The poem Upon the Westminster Bridge is a perfect sonnet. It has a regular pattern following the Italian model. The simple diction, meter and style of the poem enhance the simplicity, frankness and beauty of the theme. The poem is a pleasant one to read and perceive. It is also a brilliant romantic poem. Wordsworth, a romantic poet, creates a purely romantic expression throughout the poem. Nature is all alive to him. The beautiful objects of nature stir his inner soul and make him fascinated towards them.
3) Discuss the poem Upon the Westminster Bridge as a romantic poem.
Ans: The poet is crossing the Westminster Bridge over the Thames in a coach early in the morning. The sun is just rising up and the great city of London is bathed in its first light. The poet is deeply moved by the beauty of the scene. It appears to him to be the loveliest sight. Nobody can ignore this unparalleled and splendid sight. And if there is any, he is definitely devoid of any sense of natural beauty.The simple diction, meter and style of the poem enhance the simplicity, frankness and beauty of the theme. The poem is a pleasant one to read and perceive. Wordsworth, a romantic poet, creates a purely romantic expression throughout the poem. Nature is all alive to him. The beautiful objects of nature stir his inner soul and make him fascinated towards them. It is a brilliant romantic poem.
4) Show how the title of the poem ‘Upon Westminster Bridge’ is significant.
Ans: The sonnet ‘Upon Westminster Bridge’ conveys Wordsworth’s response to the astounding beauty of the city of London in the morning. The poet watches the scenic beauty of London from Westminster Bridge. The scene is so beautiful that the poet cannot move from there without enjoying such natural magnificence. The city of London is bathed in the light of morning sunshine and it looks brilliant. As viewed from Westminster Bridge, everything within the city is glittering in the smokeless air. The writer has never experienced such a profound calmness. From the bridge the artist can see the slow moving river Thames. The title clearly demonstrates the place of such superb experience. So, the title is suitable and justified.
5) How did the poet portray the city of London in the poem ‘Upon Westminster Bridge’?
Ans: William Wordsworth is awed by the natural beauty of London as seen from the Westminster Bridge in the early morning. London looks more excellent than any other thing on earth in the morning light. It appears like the city has worn the magnificence of morning like a garment. It is early morning so there's not one or the other clamor nor smoke. The ships, arches, theaters and temples are sparkling brightly in the smokeless air. The poet thinks that the city has merged with the adjoining areas and the open sky. It appears like the sun has never shown more beautifully indeed on valley, rock or hills. The poet has never felt such a profound calmness like this before. The river Thames flows freely. The complete city of London appears to be sleeping and tranquil. The poet is mesmerized seeing such unique beauty of the city London which usually remains restless.
6) “A sight touching in its majesty” – What is the sight referred to here? What does the poet feel about the sight? Who would be dull of soul and why?
Ans: The excellent sight of London glittering brightly in the light of the early morning is the sight referred to here.
The poet feels that the sight is profoundly amazing in its splendor. Nothing on the earth can be more beautiful than the city of London in the light of the early sun.
A person who would fail to notice the magnificence of the city of London in the early morning, would be gloomy and dull of soul. According to the poet, the scene is so charming that it will touch all hearts. But a person with a lack of sense of aesthetic beauty can only pass by without enjoying such a wonderful sight.
7) “Earth has not anything to show more fair”- What does the poet mean by this? Why does the opening line seem to be striking?
Ans: William Wordsworth is awed by the natural beauty of London as seen from the Westminster Bridge in the early morning. London looks more excellent than any other thing on earth in the morning light. By this line the poet wants to mean that there is nothing to show more beauty in the world than the amazing beauty of the city of London in early morning sunlight.
The greatest nature poet, William Wordsworth makes an unusual statement in the opening line about the beauty of the city of London. That is why, the opening line seems to be striking.
8) “The city now doth, like a garment wear”- What does the poet mean by this? What is the city referred to here?
Ans: The city, London seems to wear the garments of the beauty of the morning. The early sunlight bathed the city of London. As a new garment gives beauty to anyone, likewise this garment of the beauty of the morning gives another charming look to the city of London to the poet. This garment beautifies the city by its noise and ugliness. Everything in this early sunlight in the city of London is glittering brightly in smoke free air.
The city of London which is bathed in the light of the early rising sun is referred to here.
9) “This beauty of morning; silent, bare” – What beauty does the poet refer to? Why the beauty is called ‘silent, bare’?
Ans: The poet refers to the natural beauty of London city observed from the Westminster Bridge. Bathed in the early morning sun, London looks very charming.
The beauty is ‘silent’ because it is the time of early morning and the complete city is commotion free and unmoving. It is ‘bare’ because of the smokeless air of the atmosphere. Everything looks shinning and sparkling in the morning sunlight. The poet feels a profound calmness which he had never felt some time recently. The use of words ‘silent’ and ‘bare’ suggests that the city of London is additionally a part the whole nature.
10) “The river glideth at his own sweet will”- What is the name of this river? Why has the poet used a pronominal adjective here? What does the poet mean to say?
Ans: Thames is the name of the river mentioned here.
The poet has used pronominal adjectives (his) to personify the river. In the poem, the river is considered to be a person guided by his own sweet will.
Here the poet means to say that the river Thames flows freely. There is no disturbance in the river by any boat, ship or sailor. In the morning time there is nothing to disturb the river and its natural flow.
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