FIGURES OF SPEECH (METAPHOR).

FIGURES OF SPEECH.

 

Metaphor

 

Metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares one thing to another for achieving rhetorical effect. Here, there is no use of the words, "like" or "as". 

For example, "He was a lion in the fight." William Shakespeare's has used a metaphor to compare "life" with a "stage" in his play 'As You Like It'. He writes, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." Metaphors are most commonly used by the poets and dramatists to create special effect, to express the ideas in an emphatic manner.

They can convey complex emotions and abstract ideas in a more tangible and impactful way. For example, calling someone’s heart “a stone” evokes a strong emotional reaction.

 

 

Examples of Metaphor

The world is a stage.

• This implies that life is like a theatrical performance, and people are actors playing roles.

The classroom was a zoo.

• This metaphor indicates that the classroom was chaotic and noisy, comparing it to a zoo to highlight its disorderly nature.

Her voice is music to my ears.

• This suggests that her voice is very pleasant and enjoyable to hear, likening it to beautiful music.

Life is a rollercoaster.

• This suggests that life has ups and downs, similar to the thrilling and unpredictable ride of a rollercoaster.