Metaphors

Content

• How is the metaphor composed?
• Video explanation
• Examples of metaphors (explained)
• Types of metaphor
• Rhetorical figures

The metaphor he is a rhetorical figure who makes a figurative use of language. It is generally used to refer to something but without specifically naming it. For example: The news hit me hard. / They have it under the magnifying glass.

Metaphors use double meanings and are a fundamental tool for linguistics and literary theory, and is used even in everyday language. Metaphors enrich the way we express ourselves.

How is the metaphor composed?

The two basic elements of the metaphor are:

• Real term, which is actually being referenced.
• Imaginary term, through which the first is referred to.

The foundation between these two entities is the similarity that can be established, and there is the virtue of the great authors, in the sense of knowing how to discover these associations.

Video explanation

We made a video to explain it to you easily:

Here is a list of metaphors. Each one with its real term (in parentheses) in case it is not explicit.

Examples of metaphors (explained)

1. It is fuming. (he's angry)
2. They have it under the magnifying glass. (they are watching him rigorously)
3. The news hit me. (the news affected me a lot)
4. The horses of the sea. (to refer to swell)
5. The flame that beats in his chest. (to refer to the heart)
6. I fell into a depression. (I started to suffer it)
7. It stole a smile from me. (I shot a smile for him / her)
8. The snows of time silvered his temple. (his head was filled with gray hair)
9. That project is in its infancy. (something very incipient)
10. That exam was a gift. (it was very easy to pass)
11. She is the light that illuminates my days. (the reason I have to live)
12. The windows of the soul. (the eyes)
13. Gifts rained down on me at that party. (many arrived)
14. That place is a paradise. (it's a very nice place)
15. Your voice is music to my ears. (I like hearing your voice)
16. There is a long way to go for your wedding. (a long period of time)
17. It is in the clouds. (you are in a great moment, or you are not in tune with what is happening around you)
18. He is walking the walls. (He is very nervous)
19. Crocodile tears. (her cry is not real)
20. His heart is a desert. (does not show his feelings)
21. My cousin is a sun. (is a good person)
22. Thailand is paradise. (it's a very nice place)
23. I can't believe it, I feel in the clouds. (I'm very happy)
24. His heart is huge. (is a good person)
25. I have clean hands. (I am not involved in the problem)
26. Take life easy. (do not be nervous)
27. You are fighting depression. (is trying to get out of depression)
28. She plucked up her courage and went to speak. (took courage)
29. You can't be that blind! (something is happening in front of you and you don't see it)
30. The time is gold. (time is worth a lot)
31. My work is an ordeal. (I do not like my job)
32. As he passed, he felt his hands touch the sky. (he was very happy)
33. Feel butterflies in the stomach. (to be in love)
34. I am crazy about him. (I like him a lot)
35. The teacher lost a screw, today was not the exam. (the teacher went crazy)
36. Her heart leapt with happiness when she saw him. (he was very happy)
37. I have to put the batteries to approve yes or yes. (I have to work hard to pass)
38. It broke my soul. (I was very sorry)
39. Marta's spirits are on the ground. (he's in a very bad mood)
40. If you don't pass, you are a donkey. (you are a very bad student)
41. The wise enlighten us with advice. (They teach us)
42. He broke my heart. (gave me a love disappointment)
43. I'm between a rock and a hard place. (I do not have an option)

Types of metaphor

• Common or impure metaphor. It is the one that makes explicit reference to the two elements (the real and the imaginary), in general through some conjugated form of the verb 'to be'.
• Prepositional complement metaphor. Instead, link the reference through a preposition (often the word 'de').
• Appositional metaphor. It is the one that supports the relationship between the concepts with an apposition (that is, with the term that refers to the imaginary object between commas).
• Negative metaphor. It is the one that uses the trick of denying the real term and mentioning the imaginary or vice versa, but establishing the relationship for those who read it.
• Pure metaphor. It arises when the imaginary term replaces the real one.

Rhetorical figures

As we said, metaphors belong to the group of rhetorical figures. In addition to metaphors, in this group we find comparisons, paradoxes, rhetorical questions and hyperbole, among many others.

All figures of speech use words in a different sense than that given by their definition in the dictionary, to give more emphasis to an idea or a feeling.

Metaphors are relevant in many disciplines, such as psychology and philosophy. But the area where this issue is most exploited is in poetry. In poetry, the metaphor adds an undeniable aesthetic and emotional component.

Some metaphors have almost ceased to have this aesthetic aspiration, but they are so successful that the imaginary term almost takes the place of the real one and we use them for their expressive power. For example: Juan is a light. This expression exalts the attribute of great intelligence and quick thinking.