Sign in or 
Share this
Metaphors and Similes
Metaphors and Similes
The effect of similes and metaphors also differs. In a metaphor, the qualities of a bell- tinkling, musical, beautiful- are transferred directly onto the girl’s voice. Thus, the comparison is more potent because it is more direct. The identity of the girl’s voice is tied up with the identity of a bell.
Two literary techniques that have become cornerstones in the foundation of writing are the simile and metaphor. Both draw comparisons between two unrelated objects; however, similes use like or as to compare two things, while metaphors do not. For example, a simile would be:
Her voice was like a bell.
A metaphor, however, would be:
Her voice was a bell.
Her voice was like a bell.
A metaphor, however, would be:
Her voice was a bell.
The effect of similes and metaphors also differs. In a metaphor, the qualities of a bell- tinkling, musical, beautiful- are transferred directly onto the girl’s voice. Thus, the comparison is more potent because it is more direct. The identity of the girl’s voice is tied up with the identity of a bell.
In a simile, the reader is alerted immediately to the fact that a comparison is being made. The girl’s voice is similar to a bell’s, but it is not like that of a bell; the identities are alike, but not the same.
In metaphors, the two comparisons are melded together, despite their apparent differences. In similes, the differences between two comparisons remain separate and retain their individuality. Both similes and metaphors are effective and poetic, and both add flavor and interest to writing.
These techniques have been used since Ancient Greek writers, such as Homer.
Entomology/ History
Metaphor comes from the Greek word metaphora, which means “To transfer.”
Thus, it is an appropriate word for its meaning, as metaphors transfer different qualities onto something through a comparison.
Thus, it is an appropriate word for its meaning, as metaphors transfer different qualities onto something through a comparison.
Simile sounds like similar; one way to remember the differences between simile and metaphor is that simile sounds like similar, and like or as indicate things that are similar.
These techniques have been used since Ancient Greek writers, such as Homer.
Examples
Some famous examples of metaphors include:
“Juliet is the sun”
-William Shakespeare
“No man is an island”
-John Donne
Some famous examples of similes include:
“Oh, my luve is like a red, red rose”
-Robert Burns
“…the bulb hangs in the hot dark/ like a white blood drop”
-Michael Dennis Browne
“Juliet is the sun”
-William Shakespeare
“No man is an island”
-John Donne
Some famous examples of similes include:
“Oh, my luve is like a red, red rose”
-Robert Burns
“…the bulb hangs in the hot dark/ like a white blood drop”
-Michael Dennis Browne
Sources and Links for further information
Mayes, Frances. The Discovery of Poetry. 2nd. New York: Harcourt Brace college Publishers, 1994
Metaphor. November 2008. Wikipedia. 30 Nov 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphors>.
Simile. November 2008. Wikipedia. 30 Nov 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Similes>.
Richard , Nordquist. "Using Similes and Metaphors to Enrich Our Writing (Part 1)." About.com: Grammar & Composition 30 Nov 2008 <http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/similemetaphor1.htm>.
Richard , Nordquist. "Using Similes and Metaphors to Enrich Our Writing (Part 2)." About.com: Grammar & Composition 30 Nov 2008 <http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/similemetaphor2.htm>.
Metaphor. November 2008. Wikipedia. 30 Nov 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphors>.
Simile. November 2008. Wikipedia. 30 Nov 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Similes>.
Richard , Nordquist. "Using Similes and Metaphors to Enrich Our Writing (Part 1)." About.com: Grammar & Composition 30 Nov 2008 <http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/similemetaphor1.htm>.
Richard , Nordquist. "Using Similes and Metaphors to Enrich Our Writing (Part 2)." About.com: Grammar & Composition 30 Nov 2008 <http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/similemetaphor2.htm>.
|
skrome2 |
Latest page update: made by skrome2
, Nov 30 2008, 9:34 PM EST
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by skrome2
406 words added view changes - complete history) |
|
Keyword tags:
None
More Info: links to this page
|
There are no threads for this page.
Be the first to start a new thread.
