"Composed Upon Westminster Bridge" is a sonnet written by William Wordsworth in 1802. The poem is known for its vivid and emotive depiction of the beauty of London at dawn. In this essay, I will analyze the use of figures of speech in the poem, including personification, metaphor, and imagery.
One of the most prominent figures of speech in the poem is personification, which is when inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human characteristics. In the first line of the poem, Wordsworth writes, "Earth has not anything to show more fair." Here, the earth is personified as a person who is showing something, in this case, the beauty of London at dawn.
Another figure of speech that appears frequently in the poem is metaphor, which is a comparison between two unlike things without using the word "like" or "as." In the second line, Wordsworth writes, "Dull would he be of soul who could pass by / A sight so touching in its majesty." In this metaphor, the sight of London at dawn is compared to a person with a soul that is moved by its majesty.
Imagery, or the use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas, is also used effectively in the poem. For example, in the fifth line, Wordsworth writes, "Every face, every shop, bedroom window, public-house, and dark square." This creates a vivid image of the city, with all its different people, buildings, and places coming to life at dawn.
Overall, the figures of speech in "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge" add depth and emotion to the poem, helping the reader to experience the beauty and majesty of London at dawn through Wordsworth's words. The personification of the earth, the metaphor of the sight as a soul-moving person, and the rich imagery all contribute to the poem's ability to evoke a sense of awe and wonder in the reader.