Write a short note on the relevance of Eliot's repetition of Edmund Spenser's line, 'Sweet Thames run softly till I end my song.' (MEG 102) (T.S. ELIOT: THE WASTE LAND (III)

T.S. Eliot's repetition of Edmund Spenser's line, "Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song," in his poem "The Waste Land" is significant for several reasons.

Firstly, by repeating this line, Eliot draws a connection between his own work and the work of previous poets, situating himself within a literary tradition that stretches back to the Elizabethan era. This connection to the past is an important aspect of Eliot's poetic project, as he sought to reinvigorate and recontextualize older literary forms and themes for a modern audience.

Secondly, the repetition of the line "Sweet Thames, run softly" serves as a contrast to the bleak and desolate imagery that pervades much of "The Waste Land." The Thames river is a symbol of continuity and vitality, and by invoking its sweetness and softness, Eliot suggests that there is still some hope and beauty to be found amidst the desolation of the modern world.

Finally, the repetition of the line also serves to unify the various fragments and voices that make up "The Waste Land." By returning to this line multiple times throughout the poem, Eliot creates a sense of structure and coherence, linking together the disparate images and themes that make up the work as a whole.

Overall, the repetition of Edmund Spenser's line "Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song" is a significant and multi-layered aspect of T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," serving as a connection to the literary past, a symbol of hope amidst despair, and a unifying force within the fragmented structure of the poem.