Here's why Eliot likely chose Dante's "Inferno" as the epigraph:
* Parallel between the Waste Land and Hell: The epigraph, "I saw with my own eyes the seeds of the new world / lying under the shadow of the old," directly connects to the themes of destruction and the possibility of renewal in "The Waste Land." The poem depicts a world shattered by war and disillusionment, akin to Dante's depiction of Hell.
* Journey Through a Wasteland: "The Inferno" is a journey through the layers of Hell. "The Waste Land" also guides the reader through a desolate landscape, mirroring the journey through the underworld.
* Religious and Spiritual Depths: Both works explore questions of sin, redemption, and the nature of the human condition. By referencing Dante, Eliot implicitly links his poem to a broader philosophical and spiritual context.
* Literary Allusion: The inclusion of a well-known literary reference, like Dante, elevates the poem's sophistication and invites readers to consider the historical and cultural context of the Waste Land.
Furthermore, the specific lines from Dante are significant:
* Seeds of the new world: This suggests that even in the depths of despair, there's the potential for something new to emerge. This resonates with the poem's ending, which hints at a possible renewal.
* Under the shadow of the old: This reinforces the idea of a new world rising from the ashes of the old. The "old" world, much like the "old" Hell in Dante, is a world of sin and decay that needs to be overcome.
Ultimately, the epigraph from Dante sets the stage for "The Waste Land," framing it as a journey through a desolate world with the possibility of a new dawn.