8/4/2019 Working With Metaphors
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Working with Metaphors
Te rst theory that we know on metaphors was presented by
Aristotle, who saw metaphor as a rhetori-cal phenomenon. By using
one concept, or word, to indicate another one a discourse could be
made ina more exiting and elegant way. Te metaphor was seen as a
rhetorical eect to be used instead o say-ing something
straightorward. Aristotle compared metaphor with simile (which is a
more concrete andexplicit comparison between two concepts) and ound
that the metaphor was shorter and more concen-trated than simile,
using surprise and concealedness to make a statement more
interesting. Tis theoryis called the substitution theory, and is
based on the concept o transer o meaning - metaphor is usedto
change the meaning o a word, or example, metaphorically speaking,
in order to dress a less pleasantword in a nicer costume.
Practice
1. My riend, the swi mule, eet wild ass o the mountain, panther
o the wilderness, aer we joinedtogether and went up into the
mountain, ought the Bull o Heaven and killed it, and
overwhelmedHumbaba, who lived in the Cedar Forest, now what is this
sleep that has seized you?
In this example, the riend is compared to a mule, a wild donkey,
and a panther to indicate that the speakersees traits rom these
animals in his riend (A comparison between two or more unlike
objects)
2. With ying colours.
Te colours was the national fag fown at sea during battle, a
ship would surrender by lowering the coloursand the term is now
used to indicate a triumphant victory or win.
3. Te teacher got to the bottom o the problem.
4. My dad was boiling mad.
5. His idea was dicult to swallow.
6. Te homework was a breeze.
7. Tey showered the birthday girl with gis.
8. My memory o the event is oggy.
9. Te streets were a urnace, the sun an executioner.
10. Te rain came down in long knitting needles.
11. All babies eyes are deep pools o potential.
12. I cant digest this much inormation.
13. Just when I think I understand, it all gets shufed
around
