'London, 1802' by William Wordsworth


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Poems, in Two Volumes1807Milton! thou should'st be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, London, 1802: A Deep Dive into Wordsworth's Masterpiece

Wow. Just wow. William Wordsworth's "Poetry, London, 1802" is a masterpiece. This 14-line poem packs a punch with its powerful imagery, allusions, and language that will leave you in awe.

The Context

First, let's talk about the context. Wordsworth wrote this poem in 1802, during a time of great political and social unrest in England. The French Revolution had just ended, and England was going through its own period of change. Wordsworth was a Romantic poet, and the Romantics believed in the power of imagination, emotion, and nature. They also believed in the importance of individualism and freedom. Wordsworth, in particular, believed in the power of poetry to inspire people and to bring about change.

The Structure

Now, let's look at the structure of the poem. "Poetry, London, 1802" is a sonnet, which means it has 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. The first eight lines follow the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, and the last six lines follow the rhyme scheme CDCDCD. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and control, which contrasts with the chaos and confusion of the world outside.

The Language

But it's the language that really makes this poem shine. Wordsworth uses powerful imagery to create a vivid picture of London and England at the time. He begins by addressing John Milton, the famous English poet who wrote "Paradise Lost." Wordsworth asks Milton to come back to life and to help "restore" England to its former glory. He uses the phrase "England hath need of thee" to convey the urgency of the situation.

Wordsworth then goes on to describe the current state of England. He says that England has become "a fen / Of stagnant waters" and that the people have lost their way. He uses the image of a "weary weight" to describe the burden that the people are carrying. He also uses the phrase "wandering mazes" to describe the confusion and disorientation that they feel.

But Wordsworth doesn't just paint a bleak picture of England. He also offers a solution. He says that England needs "thy [Milton's] serious eye" to guide it back to the right path. He also says that England needs to return to its "ancient liberty" and to be inspired by the "star of truth."

The Allusions

Wordsworth also uses allusions to other works of literature to deepen the meaning of the poem. By addressing Milton, he is connecting his own work to a long tradition of English poetry. He is also invoking the spirit of Milton, who was a champion of individual freedom and who believed in the power of language to inspire people.

Wordsworth's use of the phrase "ancient liberty" is also significant. This phrase comes from the famous English document, the Magna Carta, which established the principles of individual freedom and the rule of law. By invoking the Magna Carta, Wordsworth is saying that England needs to return to its roots and to remember what made it great in the first place.

The Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? Well, there are a few ways to interpret "Poetry, London, 1802." One way is to see it as a call to action. Wordsworth is saying that England needs to wake up and to remember its values. He is also saying that poetry has the power to inspire people and to bring about change. By invoking Milton and the Magna Carta, Wordsworth is saying that England needs to remember its past in order to move forward.

Another way to interpret the poem is to see it as a personal statement. Wordsworth is often seen as a poet of nature and of the individual. "Poetry, London, 1802" can be seen as a way for Wordsworth to connect his own work to the larger tradition of English poetry. He is also saying that poetry has the power to change people's lives and to make the world a better place.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, London, 1802" is a masterpiece. Wordsworth's use of language, imagery, and allusions creates a powerful statement about England and the power of poetry. Whether you see it as a call to action or a personal statement, there is no denying the impact that this poem has had on English literature and on the world. So, what are you waiting for? Go read "Poetry, London, 1802" again and again and again. It's a poem that will stay with you for a long time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry London, 1802: A Timeless Ode to a Great Poet

William Wordsworth, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, wrote Poetry London, 1802 as an ode to the great poet John Milton. The poem is a timeless masterpiece that celebrates the life and work of Milton, while also lamenting the state of England in the early 19th century. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of Poetry London, 1802, and why it remains a classic piece of literature.

The poem begins with a powerful invocation to Milton, who is described as a "star of highest heaven" and a "pure spirit." Wordsworth praises Milton's poetry, which he describes as "a voice whose sound was like the sea." He also acknowledges Milton's political and religious beliefs, which were ahead of his time. Wordsworth writes, "Thy soul was like a star, and dwelt apart; Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, So didst thou travel on life's common way, In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart The lowliest duties on herself did lay."

In the second stanza, Wordsworth laments the state of England in 1802. He describes it as a "fen of stagnant waters," where "we are selfish men." He contrasts this with Milton's England, which he describes as a "land of scholars, and the nurse of arms." Wordsworth longs for the return of Milton's England, where "justice, truth, and love" were the guiding principles.

The third stanza is a call to action. Wordsworth urges Milton to return to England and "raise us up, return to us again; And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power." He believes that Milton's spirit and poetry can inspire the people of England to become better and to create a better society. Wordsworth writes, "Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart; Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, So didst thou travel on life's common way, In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart The lowliest duties on herself did lay."

The fourth and final stanza is a tribute to Milton's legacy. Wordsworth writes, "Thou art a living spirit, now, indeed, Thy soul, which is not pent up in a tomb, But, for a while, doth still abide A citizen of earth." He believes that Milton's spirit lives on in his poetry and in the hearts of those who read it. Wordsworth ends the poem with a powerful line, "And oh! raise us up, return to us again; And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power."

The structure of Poetry London, 1802 is simple and elegant. It consists of four quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem has a regular meter, with each line consisting of ten syllables. This gives the poem a musical quality, which is appropriate for a tribute to a great poet.

The language of the poem is also noteworthy. Wordsworth uses elevated language to describe Milton, calling him a "star of highest heaven" and a "pure spirit." He also uses vivid imagery to contrast the state of England in 1802 with Milton's England. Wordsworth describes England as a "fen of stagnant waters," while Milton's England is a "land of scholars, and the nurse of arms." This contrast highlights the decline of England in the early 19th century and the need for a return to the values of the past.

In conclusion, Poetry London, 1802 is a timeless ode to a great poet. It celebrates the life and work of John Milton, while also lamenting the state of England in the early 19th century. The poem's structure and language are simple and elegant, yet powerful. Wordsworth's call to action is still relevant today, as we continue to strive for a better society. Poetry London, 1802 is a classic piece of literature that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

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