Metaphor

Defeniton of Metaphor

            Metaphor is a figure of speech that refers to something as being the same as another thing for theorical effect. It may provide clarity or identify hidden similarities between two ideas. Where a simile compares two items, a metaphor directly equates them, and does not use “like” or “as” as dues a simile.

            A ricards describes a metaphor as having two parts :

1.      The tenor

The tenor is the subject to which attributes are ascribed.

2.      The vehicle

The vehicle is the object whose attributes are borrowed.

            The metaphor category also contains these specialised types :

1.      Allegory

An extended metaphor wherein a story illustrates an important attribute of the subject.

2.      Carachresis

A mixed metaphor used by design and accident ( rhetorical fault ).

3.      Parable

An extended metaphor narrated as an anecdote illustrating and teaching such as in Aesop’s fables, or Jesus’ teaching method as told in the Bible.

Larger applications of Metaphor

            The term metaphor is also used to describe more basic or general aspects of experience and cognition :

1.      A cognitive metaphor is the association of subject to an experience outside the object’s environment.

2.      A conceptual metaphor is an underlying associations that is systematic in both language and thought.

3.      A root metaphor is the underlying worldview that shapes an individual’s understanding of a situation.

4.      A Nonlinguistic metaphor is an association between two nonlinguistics realis of experience.

5.      A visual metaphor uses an image to create the link between different ideas. Metaphor can also be implied and extended throughout pieces of literature

Examples of metaphor

1.      My brother was boiling mad  ( this implies he was too angry )

2.      The assignment was a breeze ( this implies that the assignment was not difficult )

3.      It is going to be clear skies from now on ( this implies that clear skies are not a threat and life is going to be without hardships )

Literary metaphor

            Metaphor are used in all type of literature but not often to the degree they are used in poetry because poems are meant to communicate complex images and feelings to the readers and metaphors often state the comparisons most emotively. There are some examples of metaphor from famous poems :

1.      She is all states, and all princess, I

2.      Shall I compare three to a summer’s day.

Functions

From the above arguments, explanations and examples, we can easily infer the function of metaphors : both in our daily lives and in a piece of literature. Using appropriate metaphors appeals directly to the senses of listeners or readers, sharpening their imaginations to comprehend what is being communicated to them. Moreover, it gives a life-like quality to our conversations and to the characters of the fictions or poetry. Metaphor are also ways of thinking, offering the listeners and the readers fresh ways of examining ideas and viewing the world.