The sonnet London, 1802 written by William Wordsworth, and The Lamb written by William Blake both contain elements of Romanticism. Both of the poems clearly follow a structure similar to Abrams Romantic formula, which is composed of a realistic setting, visionary experience, and return to a setting with insight. Both London, 1802 and The Lamb are composed of the above elements yet they differ in their approach to each element. Each poem has its unique atmosphere or tone. This leads one to be able to identify the contrasts between the meaning and images within the poems. The Romantic elements of London, 1802 are those defined by Wordsworth himself.
This poems origin is spontaneous in nature. The basic images and metaphors of the sonnet make extensive use of nature, realistic setting. The idea for the poem sprung from Wordsworth initial reaction to the state of London upon his return from France: … (this was) written immediately after my return from France to London, when I could not but be struck… with the vanity and parade of our own country From this account it can be deduced that the poem was spontaneous in nature and originated from an internal response. The poems use of a realistic setting occurs in line 2 with the reference of England as a fen.
This particular adjective e describes England as a land wholly or partially covered by water, mud, clay, or dirt. (Oxford English Dictionary).
The Essay on "London, 1802" By William Wordsworth
A short Petrarchan sonnet by William Wordsworth, “London, 1802” is a poem filled with creative symbols that portray Wordsworth’s emphasis on feeling and passion with natural morality and goodness. In the poem, Wordsworth’s ideal vision of life was that he believed anyone could participate in it, if only they placed effort into what they were doing. In “London ...
From this line a realistic setting is produced. The narrator further conveys a visionary experience through the extensive uses of nature via similes and metaphors within the poem. On lines 2, 9, 10, 11 it states, England hath need of thee: she is a fen Thy soul was like a Star Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea Pure as the naked heavens… This frequent use of nature clearly illustrates the narrators intent to express a visionary experience.
This in turn adheres to Abrams Romantic Formula. The return to setting with insight is used when the narrator speaks of the conflicts within England. He states on line 7, Oh! raise us up, return to us again; This passage is literally a return to the setting. The insight acquired can be viewed when the narrator states, Thy soul was like a Star (line 9).
A star can be portrayed as a possessor of life.
Our sun is a star, and without it, we would die. Milton return to England can be seen as a revelation to the problems within England. References are made about his voice as being Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free. (Line 11) The narrator views Milton in the highest acclaim. His role in society is defined by his actions.
However, Milton physically is not present. What the author uses here is known as an apostrophe, the rhetorical addressing of an absent person as present… (Websters Dictionary) All of these uses of setting and insight are encompassed within Abrams Romantic Formula. In the poem The Lamb, William Blakes uses of Abrams Romantic Formula are apparent.
However, the way by which the elements are portrayed seem to be different. This is because Blakes style of writing is much different than Wordworths. It seems to be much lighter, and more inquisitive. The Lamb can be identified as a repetitive poem. The narrator extensively uses the words thee, Little Lamb, and God throughout poem. The narrator establishes a realistic setting when he states, By the stream & oer the mead (Line 4), This creates a realistic setting.
This is quite different form London 1802. The tone of England was described as fen, which is portrayed as a muddy, dirty, and unsure setting. The Lamb, however, portrays a tone of serenity, purity, and tranquillity. The narrator conveys a visionary experience when he describes the Lamb as being softest clothing wooly bright (Line 5).
The Essay on Narrator People Poem Life
Although it's not a lengthy poem, the few words and their layout in 'Keeping Things Whole'; certainly possess great significance. This poem is centered on the idea that the narrator's life is lacking purpose. In exploring the meaning of his existence, he determined that his reason for living was to keep moving so that people's lives were only temporarily interrupted. Strand's technique of ...
This is quite symbolic for the tones expressed here are of tenderness and happiness. This description is opposite from London 1802 usage of visionary experience.
Instead of literally using articles of nature, The Lamb allows the reader to identify the tone and ambiance of the setting through the beauty of the visionary image. These images are achieved while still following the structure of Abrams Romantic Formula. The Lamb is a poem of great depth. The usage of the Lamb is quite parallel to the child mentioned throughout this poem.
The narrators uses of images are apparent. An example of an auditory image can be viewed in line 7 of the poem, Gave thee such a tender voice. This reference to the Lamb creates a tone of love and kindness. This leads us into the final element used by the narrator. The return to the setting with insight. This element is not quite as apparent as it was in London 1802.
However, the biblical references within this section cannot be ignored. The Little Lamb can be viewed as Jesus Christ who in turn is the child. In line 17 the narrator states, He became a little child. What we have here is the innocence of a child viewing a Lamb and linking its presence with Jesus Christ. The uses of these images are examples of visionary revelations. Jesus in known as the Lamb of God.
He is also known as the Good Shepard. All of these references help to confirm the narrators return to setting with insight. In the beginning of the poem the narrator states, Little Lamb, who made thee (Line 1) In the conclusion of the poem the narrator states, Little Lamb Ill tell thee (Line 11).
This clearly demonstrates the narrators enlightenment of insight and knowledge at the conclusion of the poem.
The narrator has had a revelation. This finally concludes elements needed for Abrams Romantic Formula. Within the poem London 1802, by William Wordsworth, and The Lamb, by William Blake Abrams Romantic Formula is quite apparent. Though the elements within the poems different, the poems overall effects are equal. In London 1802, the narrator identifies with Milton who is of the past. In The Lamb, the child identifies with Jesus Christ who is in the past, present, and future.
The Essay on Analysis Of William Blake's Poems "A Divine Image" And "The Human Abstract"
William Blake, one of the earliest and greatest figures of Romanticism, wrote the “Songs of Innocence and Experience” in the 1790s. The poems juxtapose the innocent, pastoral world of childhood against an adult world of corruption and repression. The collection explores the value and limitations of two different perspectives on the world. Many of the poems are in pairs, so that the ...
The characters within each of these poems at first have a problem. Yet they search for a hero. These heroes, though not literally present, are able to be the solutions.
