Post 3: Prompt 3

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

- Robert Frost

Fire and Ice are both very symbolic in Dante's Inferno. Not only do these symbols contradict each other, but the use in Frost's poem relates to Dante's journey through hell. The fact that the whole "hell" concept is based on fire burning, it is interesting to see from his his poem that ice, the opposite of fire, would also be considered in death. Ice has not come into the picture so far in the book, yet fire has played a big role throughout the punishments and contrapasso for the sins. Depending on the severity of the sin, depends on the punishment, but most end up involving burning or boiling, so if not fire, at least pain from heat. Ice would seem to be the opposite and not at all seen in a place, such as hell. Frosts also believes that he fire would be his choice of destruction, yet ice would not be bad. There is not much evidence to prove that ice would be a use of destruction, however, there is a form of ice referred to many times in the book. This would be Water. Throughout the different circles of hell that Dante encounters, in many, there always seems so be a form a water whether its in rivers, rain, or tears.

It is rare to ever see fire and ice combined from a literal point of view, as the fire would melt the ice. However, this could be why we see so much water throughout the circles. It makes since that Frost would point out that Ice would not be a bad way to go out because water, itself, represents peace, serenity, and calmness.

Robert Frost's poem on ice and fire is very relative to our study on the circles in Dante's Inferno. The lyrics to this song follow the guidelines and support Frost's word as fire and ice are destruction. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKCdql0U2Yw) It is most likely that we continue to see more fire and forms of ice as the sins worsen and the punishments become greater. In Circle 9, Dante stumbles onto a frozen lake, otherwise known as ice. Here are punished those sinners who are guilty of treachery against those to whom they were bound by special ties. These sinners are trapped in the ice among one of the four sections depending on the different positions of the damned. This proves Ice is also a good use of destruction; supporting Frost's poem.