What is the effect of the refrain in Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott'?

First of all, a refrain is a repeated line in a poem, usually at the end. To identify the effect of the refrain in this poem, we must identify the refrain: 'the Lady of Shalott'. There are two effects of this refrain. The first is that because it is a repeated line which barely changes despite the differing descriptions within the stanza, it comes to symbolise the stasis and lack of progression that the Lady has whilst she is trapped in Shalott. The refrain acts as a form of repetition which disables progression or change. The second effect is that it keeps the focus on the central character of the Lady and reminds us that she is the central element of the poem, even if the stanza preceding the refrain seems to have very little to do with her. Therefore it also allows the reader to better connect the descriptions of the scenery or imagery of the poem with the character of the Lady herself.