Metaphors:
* "Some say the world will end in fire, / Some say in ice." This is a central metaphor setting up the poem's entire argument. The "world" is compared to two destructive forces, fire and ice, representing different ways the world could end.
* "From what I’ve tasted of desire / I hold with those who favor fire." Desire is compared to "fire," suggesting its intense and potentially destructive nature.
* "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." Hate is compared to "ice," symbolizing its cold, calculating, and ultimately devastating power.
Imagery:
* "Fire" and "ice" themselves are vivid images that evoke strong associations. Fire symbolizes passion, destruction, and consuming desire, while ice evokes coldness, indifference, and a stark, frozen wasteland.
* "I hold with those who favor fire" and "enough of hate" create imagery of experiencing these emotions firsthand.
Other Figurative Language:
* "Suffice" is an example of personification, as it suggests that ice has the capacity to be enough for destruction.
Overall:
"Fire and Ice" uses figurative language to explore the destructive potential of both passion and hate. The poem's simplicity and powerful imagery make it a classic example of how figurative language can convey complex ideas in a concise and memorable way.