Poem (Note 1) : Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth, Summary, Long Answers, S.A.Q. and M.C.Q. for W.B.H.S.C. Class xi.

Composed upon Westminster Bridge, Sept 3, 1802

William Wordsworth

Summary

While crossing over the Westminster Bridge in an early morning the poet discovers the majestic beauty of the city of London. It seems to him to be the most beautiful scene of the planet. He declares that you’d have to be someone with no spiritual sense and no taste for beauty to pass over the bridge without stopping to marvel the sight that is so touching in its majesty. The city is wearing the beauty of the morning like a garment. It is so early in the morning that everything around is very quiet and bare. Towers, domes, theatres, temples and ships that form the vast open landscape visible from the bridge, stand before him in all their grandeur in the soft morning light. There is no fog in the air to obscure the view. The valley, rock and hill shine brightly. The river is flowing undisturbed. The poet expresses his gratitude to god for his benign gift. The city is still blissfully asleep and soon it will wake up to another busy day with hustles and bustles around.

Model answers to S.A.Q.s

1.       While crossing over the Westminster Bridge in an early morning the poet discovers the majestic beauty of the city of London.
2.       It seems to the poet to be the most beautiful scene of the planet.
3.       He declares that you’d have to be someone with no spiritual sense and no taste for beauty to pass over the bridge without stopping to marvel the sight that is so touching in its majesty.
4.       The city is wearing the beauty of the morning like a garment.
5.       It is so early in the morning that everything around is very quiet and bare.
6.       Towers, domes, theatres, temples and ships that form the vast open landscape visible from the bridge, stand before him in all their grandeur in the soft morning light.
7.       There is no fog in the air to obscure the view.
8.       The valley, rock and hill shine brightly.
9.       The river is flowing undisturbed.
10.   The poet expresses his gratitude to god for his benign gift.
11.   The city is still blissfully asleep and soon it will wake up to another busy day with hustles and bustles around.

Model answers to M.C.Q.s and S.A.Q.s

1.       Name of the bridge	Westminster Bridge
2.       Written by	William Wordsworth
3.       Upon Westminster Bridge	A sonnet/ a regular sonnet
4.       The poem describes	The city of London
5.       The river under the bridge	The Thames
6.       Time	In the early morning
7.          Earth has not anything to show more fair than …	The city of London
8.          A sight so touching	London in early morning
9.          The city wears a garment of	The beauty of the morning
10.      The air is smokeless because	Air is fogless/ vehicles and factories have not yet stared
11.      Valley, rock and hill are steeped in	The first splendour of the sun
12.      Here “splendour” means	Bright golden rays of the rising sun
13.      “The river glideth at his own sweet will” because	The ships and boats are not plying
14.      “The very houses seem asleep” means…	The occupants of the houses are asleep
15.      “Mighty heart” refers to …	The heart of all the citizens/people of the city i.e. the heart of the city of London
16.      The mood of the poem	Tranquil
17.      The poet sees London as	A part of nature
18.      The poet enhances London by using	Highlights of the city
19.      London is seen by the poet	In  the morning light
20.      One example of simile	The city wears the beauty of the morning like a garment
21.      Two examples of personification	I.         The city wears the beauty of the morning II.         The river glideth at his own sweet will