What is Metaphor?
Originates from the Greek, “metaphora,” meaning to transform. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using the word “like” or “as.” It is a versatile literary tool used to draw comparisons between two or more unrelated ideas or objects.. Metaphors may be used to evoke specific imagery, elicit an emotional response, or to help readers understand an idea more clearly. A metaphor can be obvious or subtly disguised within a text.
How to pronounce Metaphor?
When do writers use Metaphor?
Writers use metaphor for rhetorical effect, meaning they want to elicit a strong response within the reader. A writer may use the metaphor to make a complex idea more easy to understand or their topic more relatable to the reader. Writers may also use metaphors to add depth and complexity to a piece of writing. A writer may want to use metaphors to add humor or wit to their writing.
How to use Metaphor
- Be original. This may prove more difficult than it sounds.
- Make sure the metaphor being used is image-driven and the image you want to convey is clear.
- Do not make the metaphor overly complex.
- Do not overuse a metaphor. When overused, the metaphor becomes known as a “dead metaphor” because its meaning has shifted due to overuse. Example: “Kicked the bucket”
Explain the types of Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using the words “like” or “as.” There are several types of metaphors, including:
- Standard – Directly states the comparison between two entities as if they were similar
- Absolute – There is no connection whatsoever between the two entities being compared.Example, “He is the dog end of every day.”Extended: An extended metaphor is well developed and sustained throughout a literary work. This type of metaphor is most common in longer works of literature. and particularly,
- Extended: An extended metaphor is well developed and sustained throughout a literary work. This type of metaphor is most common in longer works of literature. and particularly,
epic literature. Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy is an extended metaphor for the journey of the soul through Hell, Purgatory, and up into Paradise. - Implied: Compares two things that are not directly related to each other but does not mention one of those things. As the context of the comparison is not directly related but rather implied, it is called an implied metaphor. Example: The lady barked a warning at her child. In this example, the woman is being compared to a dog and her child a puppy. However, the comparison is indirect and implied, not clearly stated.
- Mixed: This type of metaphor is often used to add humor to a piece of writing. It may be intentional or accidental . depending on the writer’s understanding of metaphor. A mixed metaphor combines two or more metaphors in a confusing or illogical way. An example of a mixed metaphor is: “He was a ship in a sea of troubles.”
Note:
Visual metaphors are another type of metaphor most commonly found in film, TV, advertising, and other media.. This type of metaphor offers visual representation of a noun that is suggestive of a very common association to or similarity with another object or idea and the image is associated with a particular character or theme. Visual metaphors in film and TV closely resemble symbolism and for this reason, the two devices may be easily confused..
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Example of visual metaphor for reference
Examples of Metaphor in Literature 📚
- “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.” William Shakespeare, As You Like It
- “Why, then, the world’s mine oyster, Which I shall with sword open” – William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor
- “’O, beware my lord of jealousy. / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on” – William Shakespeare, Othello
Clearly, Shakespeare was a master of metaphor.
Examples of Metaphor in Children Books 🧸
- The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss: The cat in the hat in the story is a metaphor for the chaos and mischief that can ensue when children are left to their own devices.
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein: The Giving Tree is a metaphor for unconditional love, sacrifice, and selflessness while the old man represents total selfishness. The apple tree gives everything it has to the boy, even when he takes more than he needs. In the end, the boy has grown into an old man and the tree is nothing more than stump
- The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams: The Velveteen Rabbit represents the power of love and friendship. Through the acceptance of the rabbit’s flaws and vulnerabilities, the boy’s love enables the rabbit’s transformation from a toy into a real rabbit.
Examples of Metaphor in Songs 🎧
- ”Love is a battlefield,” by Pat Benatar
- “Stairway to Heaven” by” by Led Zeppelin – Some interpretations of this song identify the primary metaphor is found in the lyric, “She’s buying the stairway to heaven,” which is believed to be a metaphor for the Biblical Jabob’s ladder. However, because the lyrics themselves are so vague, most popular interpretations feel that the song as a whole is a metaphor for the journey of life and our search for meaning and purpose which prompts us to keep striving for something better.
- The chorus from “Firework” by Katy Perry:
“You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
‘Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on show ’em what your worth
Make ’em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky”
These lyrics compare a person to the bright bursts of light that shoot across the sky from a firework. This comparison represents a metaphor for believing in yourself and having the courage to be who you are.
Examples of Metaphor in Poetry ✍🏽
- “Death be not proud” by John Donne:
“Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so”
While the title of the poem makes it seem as though Death is being compared to a poor, humble man, Death is actually being mocked for his shortcomings. The metaphor implies Death is a very proud man who does not deserve the high praise he requires. As such, throughout the poem, this metaphor highlights Death’s false pride and unearned reputation.
- “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus:
“A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles.”
With these lines, Lazarus uses this metaphor to compare the Statue of Liberty with a warm, welcoming mother offering her protection and strength to those in need
- “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot: In this poem, the “barren and lifeless wasteland” depicted by Eliot is a metaphor for Europe after WWI.
See Also … but not to be not to be Confused with Metaphor 👥
Symbolism – very often reliant on metaphor
Simile – Like metaphor, a simile is a comparison between two unlike things. Unlike a metaphor, the comparison is made by using either “like” or “as” to make the comparison. If a comparison is made between two unlike things and the words “like” or “as” are not used, then the comparison is most likely metaphorical.
Example: “She was as graceful as a swan.” The comparison here is between a graceful dancer and an equally graceful swan as it moves through the water.
Personification – a figure of speech that gives human characteristics to non-human things. It is most often used to create vivid imagery and emphasize the point of the idea attempting to be conveyed to the reader.
Example: “The wind whispered secrets in my ear.” The statement attributes a human voice to the wind to emphasize the image of wind blowing in a person’s ear. We know that wind does not, in fact, have a human voice, but at times it may sound as if it is actually speaking to you which is the point trying to be conveyed in the example provided.
Allegory – Allegory is perhaps the most difficult to understand because allegory is a type of extended metaphor. However, it is a very special type of metaphor used to disguise a story within a story and is most commonly found in epic literature. One of the most famous examples of allegory is John Milton’s Paradise Lost in which Milton compares the struggle between heaven and hell/good and evil to the English Civil War and the rise and fall of Oliver Cromwell’s puritans.
FAQ 🤔
What is a metaphor in literature?
A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated subjects to highlight some similarity or shared quality between them. Unlike similes, which use “like” or “as” for comparison, metaphors assert a direct equivalence, enriching the text with vivid imagery and deeper meaning.
How does a metaphor function in writing?
Metaphors function by symbolically linking a concrete or familiar idea with an abstract or unfamiliar concept, allowing the writer to convey complex ideas and emotions in a more impactful and relatable way. They can make descriptions more vivid, add symbolic depth, and enhance the reader’s engagement and understanding of the subject.
What are some common types of metaphors?
Common types of metaphors include extended metaphors, which are developed over several lines or throughout a work; dead metaphors, which are so commonly used that their metaphorical nature is hardly noticed; and mixed metaphors, which combine elements from disparate metaphors, often leading to confusing or humorous effects.
Why are metaphors important in literature?
Metaphors are important because they enrich language, offering new ways of looking at the world and expressing thoughts and feelings. They allow writers to convey complex and nuanced ideas in a digestible form, deepening the reader’s engagement with the text and enhancing the emotional and intellectual impact of the writing.
How can I identify a metaphor in a text?
To identify a metaphor, look for statements where something is being described as if it were something else, without using “like” or “as.” Pay attention to context and whether the comparison is highlighting a similarity between two distinct things, often indicating a metaphorical relationship intended to provide insight or evoke a particular feeling or idea.