“Fire and Ice”: Robert Frost; poem and analysis

“Fire and Ice”: Robert Frost; poem and analysis.

Fire and ice (Fire and Ice) is an apocalyptic poem by the American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963), originally published in the December 20, 1920 issue of Harper’s Magazine.

Fire and icepossibly one of Robert Frost’s most recognized poems, elaborates a curious vision of the end of the world, using two elements as symbols of desire and hatred: fire and ice respectively.

In this sense, it is important to mention that Fire and ice by Robert Frost is inspired by song 32 of the Divine Comedy, which talks about the inhabitants of hell with the worst reputation: the traitors, who are submerged up to their waists in a lake of fire, and with their torso and head embedded in a block of ice.

Fire and ice.
Fire and Ice, Robert Frost (1874-1963)

Some say that fire will consume the world;
others affirm that ice will triumph.
From what I know about desire,
I agree with those who talk about fire.
But if the world were to succumb twice,
I think I know a lot about hate
to affirm that his ruin by the ice would be just as great,
and that would be enough.

Gothic poems. I Poems by Robert Frost.

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