Myths and allusions used in T.S. Eliot's poem, The waste Land
Q. Give examples of Myths and allusions used in T.S. Eliot's poem, The waste Land
Answer: The Waste Land is notable for its use of allusions and myths, which draw on a wide range of cultural and literary traditions. These references often serve to highlight the loss of cultural continuity and coherence in modern society, but they also suggest the possibility of connecting with the past and finding meaning in tradition. There are numerous examples of myths and allusions used in T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
The myth of the Fisher King: This myth is central to the structure and meaning of The Waste Land. The Fisher King is a figure from Arthurian legend, who is wounded and unable to fulfill his role as a protector of the land. The myth serves as a metaphor for the spiritual and cultural decay of modern civilization, and the need for spiritual renewal and regeneration.
The allusion to Dante's Inferno: The epigraph of The Waste Land is a quote from Dante's Inferno, which speaks to the themes of death, decay, and spiritual emptiness that pervade the poem. The quote ("I had not thought death had undone so many") suggests the extent to which death and decay have permeated modern society.
The allusion to the myth of Tiresias: Tiresias is a figure from Greek mythology who was transformed into a woman for seven years as punishment for killing a pair of copulating snakes. In The Waste Land, Tiresias appears as a blind prophet who sees the truth about human sexuality and the spiritual emptiness of modern society.
The allusion to the myth of Philomela: Philomela is a figure from Greek mythology who was raped and mutilated by her brother-in-law, but was eventually transformed into a nightingale. In The Waste Land, Philomela is a symbol of the violence and degradation that characterize human relationships in modern society.
The allusion to Shakespeare's The Tempest: The section of The Waste Land titled "Death by Water" contains a reference to the drowned sailor from The Tempest. The reference serves as a metaphor for the spiritual and cultural decay of modern society, and the need for renewal and regeneration.
The allusion to the myth of the Sibyl: The Sibyl was a prophetess from ancient Greece who was granted eternal life but not eternal youth. In The Waste Land, the reference to the Sibyl appears in the section titled "The Burial of the Dead," where it serves as a metaphor for the decay and futility of human existence.
The allusion to the myth of the Phoenix: The Phoenix is a mythical bird that is said to be reborn from its own ashes. In The Waste Land, the reference to the Phoenix appears in the section titled "What the Thunder Said," where it serves as a symbol of the hope for spiritual renewal and regeneration.
The allusion to the biblical story of the Tower of Babel: The story of the Tower of Babel appears in the Book of Genesis, and tells the story of how God scattered humanity and confused their languages after they tried to build a tower to reach the heavens. In The Waste Land, the reference to the Tower of Babel appears in the section titled "The Fire Sermon," where it serves as a metaphor for the breakdown of communication and the loss of cultural coherence in modern society.
The allusion to the myth of Tristan and Isolde: Tristan and Isolde are characters from a medieval romance who fall in love despite being betrothed to other people. In The Waste Land, the reference to Tristan and Isolde appears in the section titled "A Game of Chess," where it serves as a symbol of the emptiness and futility of human relationships in modern society.
The allusion to the myth of Demeter and Persephone: Demeter and Persephone are figures from Greek mythology who represent the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In The Waste Land, the reference to Demeter and Persephone appears in the section titled "The Burial of the Dead," where it serves as a metaphor for the decay and futility of human existence, and the hope for renewal and regeneration.
These are just a few examples of the many myths and allusions used in The Waste Land. Eliot draws on a wide range of cultural and literary references throughout the poem, creating a rich tapestry of meaning and symbolism that invites the reader to engage with a wide range of cultural and intellectual traditions.
*****
Read also: 🔎
👉 T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land is a poem about decay and degeneration
👉 Use of myths in W.B. Yeats’ poems
👉 Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral: Significance of the Temptation
👉 Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot: The idea of ‘waiting’
👉 T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral as a Christian play
👉 Easter 1916 by W.B. Yeats: Irish Nationalist Movement
👉 'Church Going' by Philip Larkin(Summary and Stanza wise Analysis)
.webp)
.webp)
0 Comments
I'm pleased to hear from you. Without any hesitation, kindly leave your valuable words in the Comment Box