Metaphor

What is Metaphor?

Introduction

A metaphor is a figure of speech that conveys meaning by drawing a parallel between two seemingly unrelated concepts, enhancing understanding by suggesting similarities in a non-literal way. This article defines this figurative language and illustrates it with examples from literature.

Let’s get started with the definition of metaphor.

What is a Metaphor?

A metaphor, derived from the Greek word “metapherein” meaning “transfer,” is a figure of speech that establishes a direct comparison between two seemingly unrelated subjects, imparting a deeper understanding by implying shared characteristics without the use of explicit comparative words like “like” or “as.”

Unlike the simile which takes the form of “X is like/as Y”, a metaphor takes the form of X is Y

A metaphor conveys complex ideas by highlighting one concept through the lens of another. Consider this example:

  • “Time is a thief.”

In this metaphor, time is not literally a thief, but the comparison suggests the idea that time, like a thief, takes away moments from our lives stealthily and irreversibly, emphasizing the elusive and fleeting nature of time. Notice the example doesn’t compare “time” to “thief” using “like” or “as”.

Why Do Writers Use Metaphor?

Here are three main reasons why metaphor is used by writers or speakers:

  • Enhanced Understanding: Writers use metaphor to convey abstract or complex ideas by drawing parallels with more familiar or tangible concepts, making the content more accessible and relatable to readers.
  • Expressive Language: Metaphor allows writers to infuse their work with creativity and vivid imagery, creating a more engaging and evocative experience for readers by adding layers of meaning and emotion.
  • Imaginative Impact: By bypassing literal expressions, writers can evoke deeper emotions and provoke thought, enabling them to communicate in a way that transcends the boundaries of direct language and encourages readers to explore and interpret the text more actively.

Types of Metaphors

Metaphors come in various forms, adding depth and nuance to language. Here are some common types of metaphors:

1. Direct Metaphor

A direct or simple metaphor, also referred to as a “standard metaphor,” involves stating that one idea is another, making a direct comparison.

For example:

  • “John is a lion.”

In this case, the direct metaphor states that “John” is equivalent to “a lion,” making a clear and direct comparison between the two concepts. This can be clarified by the following formula: “X is Y.

2. Visual Metaphor

The visual metaphor describes one thing in terms of another, often invoking vivid mental images.

This type of metaphor engages the reader or listener by appealing to their senses, creating mental pictures that enhance the overall impact of the expression. The aim is to evoke a sensory experience or provide a more tangible understanding of an abstract concept.

  • Example: “Her smile was a radiant sunrise.”

3. Dead Metaphor

A dead metaphor has become so commonplace that its original figurative meaning is often overlooked. The metaphor has become “dead” in the sense that people use it without actively thinking about the original comparison it once represented.

Example:

  • “The foot of the mountain.”

Originally, this might have been a metaphorical expression implying the base or foundation of something significant. However, over time, this metaphor has become so commonly used that people no longer think about it as a metaphor. Instead, they understand it literally as referring to the lower part of a mountain without recognizing its initial figurative meaning.

other examples of dead metaphors include:

  • Raining cats and dogs
  • Heart of gold
  • Falling in love

4. Extended Metaphor

This is a metaphor that is developed over several sentences or throughout an entire work, creating a sustained comparison.

An example of this type is the following:

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms,
And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel,
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth…

From “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare

The above passage is an example of an extended metaphor because it goes beyond a simple comparison and develops the metaphor across multiple lines or stanzas. In this excerpt from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” the entire speech is dedicated to comparing the world to a stage and human life to a play.

5. Mixed Metaphor

Occurs when two or more incompatible metaphors are jumbled together, often resulting in unintentional humor.

Example: “The ball is in your court, so now it’s time to fish or cut bait.”

In this mixed metaphor, two different idioms are combined. “The ball is in your court” is an expression from sports, indicating that someone has the responsibility to take action or make a decision.

On the other hand, “fish or cut bait” is a fishing metaphor suggesting a choice between two alternatives—either actively fishing or cutting bait (preparing bait for fishing). When used together, the result is a jumbled and confusing phrase that combines elements of sports and fishing in an unintentionally humorous way.

6. Implied or Implicit Metaphor

An implied or implicit metaphor is a figure of speech that does not directly state that one thing is another but rather relies on the context or surrounding language to convey the comparison. In other words, the metaphor is not explicitly expressed; instead, it is suggested or hinted at, allowing the audience to infer the intended comparison.

Example:

  • “The city breathed its morning sigh.”

In this metaphor, the city is not explicitly stated to be something else, but the comparison is implied through the use of the verb “breathed” and the concept of a “morning sigh.”

The idea is that the city, like a living entity, goes through a process similar to taking a sigh, which may imply a sense of awakening, routine, or perhaps the collective sounds and movements characteristic of early morning.

The metaphor encourages readers to visualize and feel the atmosphere of the city awakening in a way reminiscent of a person taking a sigh in the morning.

Metaphor vs. Simile vs. Metonymy

While metaphor, simile, and metonymy share the common ground of being figures of speech, each serves a distinct purpose in language. It’s essential to recognize their differences to fully appreciate their unique contributions to expression.

Metaphor:

  • A metaphor directly equates one thing to another, suggesting a shared essence or characteristic.
  • Example: “Time is a thief.” Here, time is not literally a thief, but the metaphor implies the idea of time stealthily taking moments away.

Simile:

  • A simile compares two things using “like” or “as,” highlighting similarities between them.
  • Example: “Brave as a lion.” In this simile, bravery is explicitly likened to the courage associated with a lion.

Metonymy:

  • Metonymy involves substituting the name of one thing with another closely related to it, often based on association or contiguity.
  • Example: “The White House issued a statement.” Here, “The White House” is used to represent the President or the government.

Differences at a Glance:

CriteriaMetaphorSimileMetonymy
Comparison TypeDirect comparisonComparison using “like” or “as”Substitution based on association or contiguity
Example“Time is a thief.”“Brave as a lion.”“This palace belongs to the crown.” (The Crown representing the monarch)
ConnectionImplies shared essenceHighlights similaritiesRepresents something closely related
ExplicitnessNo explicit comparative wordsUses “like” or “as”Direct substitution

Why Do Writers Use Metaphors?

Writers use metaphors for several compelling reasons:

  1. Enhanced Communication: Metaphors serve as powerful tools to convey complex or abstract ideas in a more accessible and relatable manner. By drawing parallels between the familiar and the unfamiliar, writers can make their messages more vivid and comprehensible to readers.
  2. Expressive Imagery: Metaphors infuse language with expressive imagery, evoking emotions and creating a more engaging experience for readers. Through imaginative comparisons, writers can paint vivid mental pictures, allowing readers to connect more intimately with the content and feel a deeper resonance with the narrative.
  3. Layered Meaning: Metaphors add depth and nuance to writing by introducing layered meanings. They enable writers to convey not only the surface-level information but also subtle nuances, emotions, and cultural associations, enriching the text and encouraging readers to explore multiple dimensions of the conveyed message.

Common Examples of Metaphors in Everyday Conversations

You will be surprised how much metaphors are used in everyday conversations. Here are a few:

  1. I can’t afford to spend too much time on this project; time is money after all.
  2. In negotiations, he was a lion, fiercely defending his team’s interests.
  3. She’s a night owl, thriving in the quiet hours when the world is asleep.
  4. After years of hardship, he developed a stone heart, shielding himself from emotional pain.
  5. When she sang, her voice was like that of a nightingale, enchanting everyone who listened.
  6. Love is a battlefield with its ups and downs.
  7. Watch out for him; he’s a snake in the grass, always ready to betray.
  8. Be careful not to trigger him; his temper is a volcano, ready to erupt.
  9. Learning is a journey, not a destination.
  10. The internet has made information accessible, but it’s also a double-edged sword with the rise of misinformation.
  11. Her smiles are a ray of sunshine brightening up the room.
  12. His ideas were a breath of fresh air, bringing new life to the stale conversation.
  13. The stormy argument left their relationship shipwrecked on the shores of disagreement.
  14. In the fast-paced city, time is a relentless thief, stealing moments without warning.
  15. The athlete’s determination was a roaring fire that fueled his relentless pursuit of excellence.
  16. The classroom was a buzzing beehive of activity as the students prepared for their upcoming exams.
  17. As the entrepreneur faced challenges, he saw them as stepping stones on the path to success.
  18. Her laughter was a melody that filled the room with warmth and joy.

Examples of Metaphors in Literature

Metaphors are abundantly used in literature to add beauty and depth in meaning. One of the notable examples of metaphor is by William Shakespeare:

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;

From “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare


In these lines from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” the metaphor compares the world to a stage, portraying life as a play and individuals as actors on that stage.

The opening line, All the world’s a stage establishes the metaphor by stating that the entire world is akin to a theatrical stage. This suggests that life is a performance, and individuals play roles as if they were actors in a play.

When Shakespeare says “And all the men and women merely players”, the metaphor continues by asserting that every person—men and women alike—is likened to a player in this grand theatrical production. The term “players” reinforces the idea that individuals are actively participating in the drama of life, assuming roles and engaging in the various acts and scenes that unfold.

The line They have their exits and their entrances extends the metaphor by drawing a parallel between the entrances and exits of actors on stage and the various stages or phases of human life. It implies that individuals have distinct moments of arrival and departure in the overarching narrative of their lives.

Willliam Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” contains many instances of metaphors. Let’s consider the following lines:

ROMEO (seeing Juliet on her balcony)
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she

From “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare

In these lines from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Romeo is using a metaphor to express his admiration for Juliet. The metaphor compares Juliet to the sun, attributing qualities of brightness, warmth, and beauty to her.

Romeo uses the metaphor “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” to describe Juliet as if she were the sun rising in the east. By associating Juliet with the sun, he suggests that she is the source of light and warmth in his life, much like the sun is for the earth.

When Romeo says “Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon”, he continues the metaphor by urging Juliet to “arise” like the sun and replace the moon. The moon is personified as “envious” and “sick and pale with grief,” implying that Juliet’s beauty surpasses the moon’s, and her presence diminishes the moon’s radiance.

This metaphor is not only a beautiful expression of Romeo’s love for Juliet but also serves to elevate her status in his eyes, emphasizing her unparalleled beauty and importance in his world. The use of celestial imagery adds a poetic and timeless quality to the expression of love in this classic Shakespearean scene.

Another example of metaphor is from Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers”:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

From “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson’s poem

The poet is using a metaphor to describe hope as “the thing with feathers.” This metaphorical expression attributes bird-like qualities to hope, emphasizing its light, delicate, and enduring nature.

The comparison suggests that, like a bird, hope can perch in the soul, sing in the face of challenges (“the Gale”), and persist through storms without being easily deterred. The metaphorical imagery adds a vivid and emotional layer to the concept of hope, allowing readers to connect with the idea on a deeper, more imaginative level.

Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” features a metaphor that compares the roads not taken to the paths we take in life:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The metaphor lies in the speaker’s choice of taking “the [road] less traveled by.” In this context, the metaphor of the road represents the choices and paths we take in life.

By choosing the less traveled road, the speaker is metaphorically expressing a decision to follow a unique or unconventional path, one that is not as commonly chosen by others. The metaphor symbolizes individuality, independence, and the impact that making unconventional choices can have on a person’s life journey.

Conclusion

In summary, a metaphor is a figure of speech that enhances language by drawing direct comparisons between seemingly unrelated concepts, thereby imbuing expressions with vivid imagery and deeper layers of meaning.

Metaphors serve unique purposes such as conveying emotions, simplifying complex ideas, and fostering creative expression. Using this stylistic device in your writing adds richness and nuance, elevating the overall impact of your communication and inviting readers to engage more deeply with your ideas through the imaginative connections forged by well-crafted metaphors.

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Tags: Figures of Speech
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