Symbol Analysis
We talked about this allusion in the Detailed Summary, but Frost is giving a shout-out to Macbeth. But the big thing to remember is that the cauldron was all about combining various elements to achieve specific (mostly nasty) purposes. It was about scheming and cursing unsuspecting victims. So it's a perfect symbol for the sort of design Frost is worried about. Is all of nature a witches' broth, conspiring to kill us? (Cue the fog machine and spooky music.)
- Line 6: The reference to the cauldron comes sandwiched between two light-hearted lines, creating even more contrast and confusion of meaning.