Does the topic sentence in an essay have to be the first sentence or just near the beginning?

Read the excerpt from henry wadsworth longfellow’s translation of an excerpt from dante’s inferno and answer the question. but inasmuch as never from this depth did any one return, if i hear true, without the fear of infamy i answer . . “the love song of j. alfred prufrock” begins with an excerpt from dante’s inferno. which two statements express how this source material contributes to the mood of the poem? click here to read the poem. the inferno excerpt introduces a mood of horror that eliot elaborates throughout the poem. the inferno excerpt introduces a mood of enthusiasm that eliot argues against throughout the poem. the inferno excerpt introduces a mood of boldness that eliot continues throughout the poem. the inferno excerpt introduces a mood of shame that eliot explores throughout the poem. the inferno excerpt introduces a mood of enlightenment that eliot mocks throughout the poem. next question ask for