Via Starwars.com:

From the moment Luke Skywalker enters the Dagobah cave, a sense of tension, not unlike something out of a horror films, grabs hold. This pivotal scene encapsulates some strong metaphors that are prevalent in the study of literature, and helps us to learn more about the young hero through this important phase in his burgeoning Jedi career. The use of the cave as a metaphor has long been a powerful symbol of what lies beneath the surface, and has impacted storytelling for generations.

The motif of the cave is as old as Homer’s Odyssey, as Odysseus finds himself trapped with the beautiful goddess, Kalypso, as well as the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus faces both fantasy and fear, respectively, and has opportunities to learn from the experiences. Kalypso seeks to enslave Odysseus, and the Cyclops wants to make a meal of the Greek hero. Odysseus experiences delayed growth through poor choices in these settings, and this leads to more strife for the hero. Odysseus’ rash choices lead to inopportune moments for him; Yoda echoes similar sentiments to Luke before his entry into the cave. Both Odysseus and Luke face fantastical elements, as well as frightening ones through the motif of the cave, and audiences learn more about each of them in the process.

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