Fire and Ice - Extract Based Questions

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Fire and Ice - Extract Based Questions

1. Some say the world will end in fire
    Some say in ice.
    From what I've tasted of desire
    I hold with those who favour fire.

1. What has the poet tasted of desire? What is the significance of the word 'tasted' here?

The poet talks about knowing people's strong selfish desires firsthand. "Desire" means strong feelings, and "tasted" means he's experienced them himself.

2. What does the poet favour and why?

The poet thinks that people fighting cruelly and selfishly will ruin the world. He believes this because of what he's seen.

3. What does 'fire' signify literally and symbolically?

'Fire' means actual burning and can make the world too hot. It also represents strong feelings like love and passion, as well as violence and cruelty.

4. What is'ice'here symbolic of?

'Ice' symbolises cold feelings like hatred, apathy, indifference, jealousy, selfish and insensitivity.

2. But if it had to perish twice,
    I think I know enough of hate
    To say that for destruction ice
    Is also great
    And would suffice.

1. What does the poet mean by 'if it had to perish twice'?

The poet means that if the world had to get destroyed twice, each time by an absolutely different force.

2. The poet feels that he 'knew enough of hate'. What would this hate result in?

The poet thinks there's too much hate in the world, which could destroy all feelings and even end the world.

3. For destruction 'ice is also great'. Why has the poet used the word 'also' in the line?

The poet says anger is a big reason for the world ending, but hate can also do it. He talks about both, using "also" for the second one.

4. Why does the poet call the ice 'great'?

The poet uses "great" sarcastically. Normally it means something good, but here it's used for destruction, showing how bad it is.