Introduction:
It is learnt from Dorothy Wordsworth’s Journal that the poet William Wordsworth was inspired by the early morning scene of London viewed from a coach while crossing Westminster Bridge on the way to Dover on July 31, 1802. The sonnet was probably cast into its final form as William Wordsworth and Dorothy were coming back from France on September 3, 1802. It is one of the most memorable poems by Wordsworth and it shows his regard and love for London in a manner not expressed in his other poems.
About the Verse:
Upon Westminster Bridge is a fine sonnet. Here, the poet describes the city of London at sunrise. The poet loves to glorify the objects of nature. Here he glorifies the majestic city in the glittering rays of the rising sun. Again the port is a great lover of solitude. The perfect calm and quiet of the city in the early morning impresses him deeply.
The poet sees the city not as a wonder of civilization, but as a lovely face of nature. He is joyful to see the city free from confused clatter. The sonnet has a regular pattern. The poet follows the Italian model. On the whole, the simplicity and frankness of the theme go in perfect assonance with the simple diction, matter and style of the poem. The poem indeed offers us an enjoyable reading.
Questions and Answers:
1) What kind of poem is “Upon Westminster Bridge”?
Ans- Upon Westminster Bridge is a sonnet.
2) What is described in the poem “Upon Westminster Bridge”?
Ans- Upon Westminster Bridge contains a fine description of the city of London at sunrise.
3) Where is the Westminster Bridge?
Ans- The Westminster Bridge is over the river Thames in London.
4) Where does the poet see the city of London?
Ans- The poet sees the City of London from Westminster Bridge.
5) What, according to Wordsworth, is the fairest sight on the earth?
Ans- The poet Wordsworth thinks that the City of London in the early morning is the fairest of all sights on earth.
6) What is the garment the City of London wears?
Ans- The City of London wears the garment of the beauty of the early morning.
7) What is the City of London silent in the early morning?
Ans- The City of London is silent in the early morning because the roar of bustle is absent.
8) Which things glitter in the smokeless air?
Ans- The ships and towers, domes, theatres and churches glitter in the smokeless air.
9) Why is the sky in London clear and smokeless?
Ans- The sky of London in the early morning is clear and smokeless because the factories and vehicles are still in rest.
10) What lies open unto the fields and to the sky?
Ans- Towers, domes, theatres and temples lie open unto the fields and to the sky.
Also read: “AUTUMN” by John Clare – Questions and answers (S.A.Q), Class – 9
11) Which are steeped by the sun in its first splendour?
Ans- The valleys, rocks and hills at a distance from the city of London are steeped by the first splendour of the rising sun.
12) What strikes the poet most in the early morning when he sees the city of London Upon Westminster Bridge?
Ans- The all-pervading calm in and around the city of London strikes him the most.
13) Why does the poet say that the river glideth at his own sweet will?
Ans- The river glides freely because it suffers no movement of the boats or ships.
14) Which seems asleep in the City of London?
Ans- The very houses seem asleep in the City of London.
15) “Dear God! The very houses seem asleep”. – What does the poet mean to imply here?
Ans- Here the poet implies that at dawn not men and women but also the houses where they live are in deep slumber.
16) “A sight so touching in its majesty”. – Which sight is referred to here?
Ans- The sight of London in the early morning is referred to here.
17) “Dull would he be of soul”. – Who would be dull of soul?
Ans- The man who ignored the beauty of London at sunrise would be dull of soul.
18) Which river is mentioned in the poem Upon Westminster Bridge?
Ans- The river Thames is mentioned in the poem Upon Westminster Bridge.
19) With what does the poet compare the city of London?
Ans- The poet compares the city of London to a sleeping giant.
20) How is the river Thames flowing in the early morning?
Ans- The river Thames flows according to its own sweet will in the early morning.
21) How do the houses in London appear to the poet?
Ans- The houses in the city of London in the early morning appear asleep.
22) “……that mighty heart is lying still!” – What is presented as a mighty heart?
Ans- The City of London is presented as a mighty heart in the early morning.