Mandi McCoy & Steven Epps London, 1802 by William Wordsworth William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, Cumberland in April 7, 1770. He attended St. John’s College, Cambridge. He had a daughter named Caroline, with Annette Vallon. He later married Mary Hutchinson, and they had five children. Two of the five died in 1812. "London, 1802 by William Wordsworth." The Literature Network: Online Classic Literature, Poems, and Quotes. Essays & Summaries. Web. 07 Feb. 2011. <http://www.online-literature.com/keats/519/>.

London, 1802 Milton! thou shouldst 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.

Paraphrase The speaker addressed the soul of the dead poet John Milton, saying that he should be alive at this moment in history, for England needs him. England, the speaker says, is stagnant and selfish and Milton could raise her up again, The speaker says Milton could give England “manners, virtue, freedom, power,” for his soul was like a star, his voice had a sound as pure as the sea, and he moved through the world with cheerful godliness laying upon himself the lowest duties. sussexhigh.nbed

Diction The poem uses formal language, and vivid descriptions. To create vivid images in the mind the author uses semantics throughout the poem.

Tone and Mood There is a nostalgic mood, it talks about missing Milton and how London needs him there. There is irony, because Milton is not there, yet he continues to talk about how he wishes he was, when it is clearly not possible for him to be. This poem makes me sad, it makes me miss my old friends as well

Rhetorical Situation The Author is talking to Milton, who is dead, to show he misses his presence and London needs someone of his character. As the reader, I am overhearing the author.

Figurative Language London, 1802 contains the simile: “Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea.” and “Thy soul was like a Star.” It also contains personification, when it says: “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.”

Imagery It says “Pure as the naked heavens” it creates and image of beauty and purity. “Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea” This creates the sound of the ocean.

Sound It has repetition of rhyming sounds which creates a rhyme scheme of A B B A A B C A D E E F D F There is no alliteration, assonance, use of onomatopoeia.

Poem Structure The poet uses a rhyme pattern in this poem.

Conclusion/Evaluation The poet did a good job creating a nostalgic mood in London, 1802. The rhyme scheme contributed to the easy flow of the poem

Personal Reaction I didn’t like this poem at all. It bored me, and didn’t relate to anything I’ve ever experienced. It wasn’t good. I like happy poems and this one is depressing and sad.