London by William Blake Flashcards
What is London about?
Blake is walking through London, seeing the desperate situation everyone is in. Feeling angry. It is the fault of king, the church and the people themselves for doing nothing about the situation they are in. Monarchy misused power.
“Mind forged manacles I hear”
Metaphor - imprisoning themselves in their mind. Wants them to follow the French revolution.
“Marriage hearse”
Oxymoron - two words contradicting each other. Happy image of marriage linked with death. Suggests London was once good but has been destroyed.
“Runs in blood down palace walls”
Metaphor + Imagery - ordinary people suffer whilst royals and Gov protected by walls.
“Hapless soldier sighs”
Sibilance - soldiers have no power, king is using the soldiers and they are dying.
Comparison poems for London?
Ozymadias, checking out me history
