How does Wordsworth describe England in “London 1802”? 

Answer

How does Wordsworth describe England/London in “London 1802”? 

Or, why does Wordsworth request Milton to return to England/London? 

In “London 1802,” William Wordsworth (1770-1850) describes London as a place that has lost its greatness. He uses strong, ugly images to show how the country has become selfish and morally weak. Wordsworth requests John Milton (1608-1674) to return to England, to help bring the country back to its former glory.

A Dirty Swamp: Wordsworth calls England as:

“She is a fen

Of stagnant waters:”

A fen is a smelly, muddy swamp where water does not flow. This metaphor means England’s values—like religion, freedom, and kindness—are stuck and rotting. People have become selfish. They  are no longer working together for the greater good. 

Selfish and Lazy: The poem says people have become greedy and only care about themselves. The poet says:

“We are selfish men;”

This shows that England’s citizens have lost their sense of duty and honor. They chase money and comfort instead of doing what is right.

Lost Glory: Wordsworth contrasts 1802 London with the past. He says things like religion (“altar”), military strength (“sword”), literature (“pen”), and even home life (“fireside”) are no longer respected. England’s “ancient dower”—old wealth of values has faded.

Request to Milton: By calling on John Milton (1608-1674), a poet from the 1600s, Wordsworth shows how bad things are in England. He wishes Milton could come back to life and fix England. Milton represents everything London lacks: humility, faith, and a connection to nature.

Nature vs. Decay: Wordsworth uses nature to highlight London’s problems. Milton’s soul is “like a Star” (pure) and his voice “like the sea” (powerful). On the other hand, England is a swamp. This contrast shows that London has abandoned the natural, simple life that brings happiness.

To sum up, Wordsworth paints London as a place that is spiritually and