Why Does Wordsworth Request Milton to Return to England?

Answer

Why does Wordsworth request Milton to return to England?

The evergreen sonnet “London, 1802” was written by William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and published in 1807. In this sonnet, Wordsworth expresses his frustration with his age’s moral collapse and spiritual emptiness. In this poem, he calls the spirit of the great English poet John Milton (1608-74). He demands that Milton will back and inspire the people of England with his moral and spiritual teachings.

To Make England Great Again: England was a great place of happiness, art, literature, and military might. But now she has lost all her glamour. The poet represents England as a marshy land, and its people have forgotten all their glorious history. They are selfish and morally corrupt. So, Wordsworth recalls Milton,

Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:

England hath need of thee: she is a fen.

According to Wordsworth, Milton is the poet of high ideals, and only he can rectify the corrupt English people. 

To Make The English Virtuous: Wordsworth is highly influenced by Milton’s ideology. He asserts that Milton is a virtuous man and the foremost reformer.  He always raises his voice for the liberty of his people during the Civil War. His soul is like a star, and his voice is as powerful as the sea. So, Wordsworth calls Milton to make the English virtuous. Wordsworth says,

Oh! raise us up, return to us again;

And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.

Wordsworth’s demand for Milton’s return to England in “London, 1802” reflects his deep concern about his age’s moral and spiritual decadence. He believes that Milton’s poetry and teachings can provide the inspiration and guidance his countrymen needed to overcome their spiritual malaise.