The sonnet "London, 1802" written by William Wordsworth, and "The Lamb" written by William Blake b
oth 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 the
y differ in their approach to each element. Each poem has its unique atmosphere or tone. This lead
s 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 poem's
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's initial reaction to the
state of London upon his return from France:
...(this was) written imme
diately after my return from France to London,
when I could not but be s
truck...with the vanity and parade of our own
country
Fro
m this account it can be deduced that the poem was spontaneous in nature and originated from an inte
rnal response. The poem's 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 b
y water, mud, clay, or dirt."(Oxford English Dictionary). From this line a realistic setting is pro
duced. 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 narrator's intent
to express a visionary experience. This in turn adheres to Abram's 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. M
Ilton's return to England can be seen as a revelation to the problems within England. References ar
e 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, Milto
n physically is not present. What the author uses here is known as an apostrophe, "the rhetorical a
ddressing of an absent person as present..."(Webster's Dictionary) All of these uses of setting and
insight are encompassed within Abram's Romantic Formula.
In the poem "The Lamb", Will
iam Blake's uses of Abram's Romantic Formula are apparent. However, the way by which the elements a
re portrayed seem to be different. This is because Blake's style of writing is much different than
Wordworth's. It seems to be much lighter, and more inquisitive.
"The Lamb" can be ide
ntified as a repetitive poem. The narrator extensively uses the words Oethee', OeLittle Lamb', and
OeGod' throughout poem. The narrator establishes a realistic setting when he states, "By the stream
" o'er the mead"(Line 4), This creates a realistic setting. This is quite different form "London
1802". The tone of England was described as Oefen', which is portrayed as a muddy, dirty, and unpur
e 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). This is quite symbolic for the tones expressed here are of tenderness and ha
ppiness. 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 fol
lowing the structure of Abram's 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 narrator
's 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 reference
s 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 th
e 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 OeLamb of God'.
He is also known as the OeGood Shepard'. All of these references help to confirm the narrator's ret
urn to setting with insight. In the beginning of the poem the narrator states, "Little Lamb, who ma
de thee?"(Line 1) In the conclusion of the poem the narrator states, "Little Lamb I'll tell thee"(L
ine 11). This clearly demonstrates the narrator's enlightenment of insight and knowledge at the co
nclusion of the poem. The narrator has had a revelation. This finally concludes elements needed fo
r Abram's 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 poem's overall effects are equal. In "London 1802", the narrator identifi
es 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 characters within each of these poems at first have a problem.
Yet they search for a Oehero'. These Oeheroes', though not literally present, are able to be the s
olutions.sonnet london written william wordsworth lamb written william blake both contain elements r
omanticism both poems clearly follow structure similar abrams romantic formula which composed realis
tic setting visionary experience return setting with insight both london lamb composed above element
s they differ their approach each element each poem unique atmosphere tone this leads able identify
contrasts between meaning images within poems romantic elements london those defined wordsworth hims
elf this poem origin spontaneous nature basic images metaphors sonnet make extensive nature realisti
c setting idea poem sprung from wordsworth initial reaction state upon return from france this writt
en immediately after return from france when could struck with vanity parade country account deduced
that spontaneous nature originated internal response realistic occurs line with reference england p
articular adjective describes england land wholly partially covered water clay dirt oxford english d
ictionary line produced narrator further conveys visionary experience through extensive uses similes
metaphors within lines states england hath need thee soul like star thou hadst voice whose sound li
ke pure naked heavens frequent clearly illustrates narrator intent express visionary experience turn
adheres abram romantic formula insight used when narrator speaks conflicts within states line raise
again passage literally insight acquired viewed when states soul like star star portrayed possessor
life without would milton seen revelation problems references made about voice being pure naked hea
vens majestic free views milton highest acclaim role society defined actions however milton physical
ly present what author uses here known apostrophe rhetorical addressing absent person present webste
r dictionary these uses encompassed abram formula lamb william blake abram apparent however which po
rtrayed seem different because blake style writing much different than wordworth seems much lighter
more inquisitive identified repetitive extensively words oethee oelittle oegod throughout establishe
s stream mead creates quite different form tone described oefen which portrayed muddy dirty unpure h
owever portrays tone serenity purity tranquillity conveys describes being softest clothing wooly bri
ght quite symbolic tones expressed here tenderness happiness description opposite usage instead lite
rally using articles allows reader identify ambiance through beauty image these images achieved whil
e still following structure great depth usage quite parallel child mentioned throughout apparent exa
mple auditory image viewed gave thee such tender voice reference creates love kindness leads into fi
nal element used element apparent biblical references section cannot ignored little viewed jesus chr
ist turn child became little child what have here innocence viewing linking presence jesus christ th
ese examples revelations jesus known oelamb also known oegood shepard references help confirm beginn
ing little made thee conclusion tell clearly demonstrates enlightenment knowledge conclusion revelat
ion finally concludes needed abrams though poems overall effects equal identifies past identifies ch
rist past present future characters each first have problem they search oehero oeheroes though liter
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