a metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or a quality in a non-literal way., and helps explain a general idea about something or someone.
1. Her tears were a river running down her cheeks.
Since it is not possible to compare the amount of water in a river with that of a tear, the metaphor above is a creative way of saying that the person was crying a lot.
A literal interpretation of a metaphor would often be inconsistent, as in the example described above.
2. their house was a prison
In this sentence, it is possible to understand that the house to which the sentence refers operated in a regime without freedom, or with a bad climate, in which people were imprisoned, in the non-literal sense.
In this case, the house is not a prison in itself, but is said as such by the interlocutor to express the lack of freedom found there.
3. Your brother is a monster!
In saying this, the person did not wish to claim that the brother is literally a monster. The intention behind this metaphor is to demonstrate that man's attitudes are as bad and frightening as that of a monster, which in fiction is considered a bad character.
4. João is a clown
The message of this metaphor is intended to demonstrate that John is a funny person as well as a clown.
5. her life is a fairy tale
As fairy tales are always accompanied by beautiful and happy stories, the intention of this metaphor is to convey the idea that a person's life is as good and perfect as a fairy tale.
6. that boy is a cat
The idea of this metaphor is that the boy is handsome and elegant, not literally a cat.
7. His heart is a stone!
This is an example of a metaphor often used in novels. Its purpose is to convey the idea that the person who has the "heart of stone" is insensitive and emotionally cold.
The stone is used as a reference because it is considered an inanimate object.
8. Watch out, that friend of yours is a snake!
Snakes are regarded as treacherous animals. Therefore, when someone is considered a snake in some metaphor, it means that the person being referred to is a traitor and a deceiver.
9. Your relationship with Pedro is a battleground
A battlefield is a place of great tension and fighting. The above metaphor makes an analogy between this reality and that of a troubled relationship, where there are many fights, arguments and disagreements.
10. His father is a beast!
When someone is considered "a beast" in a metaphor, it means that person is brave, indomitable, and difficult to deal with.
Examples of Metaphors in Songs and Poems
Metaphors help writers and composers to creatively describe an observation about a particular subject, object or person.
This figure of speech also helps the reader to interpret these phrases and excerpts with a different perspective from the literal, being able to understand that it is not literally what it says. This ends up making, in some cases, reading more fun and interesting.
11. Song "Fire and passion",
"You are light, lightning, star and moonlight.
Sunny morning, my yo yo, my yo yo."
In this part of the song "Fire and passion", from the singer Wando, it is possible to observe the metaphor used by the composer to convey the message of what the person to whom he refers means to him.
Of course, no one can be compared to these great phenomena and elements of nature. However, by referring to the loved one using these words, the composer clearly conveys the idea of the size of the importance.
12. Stone Heart Poem
"Oh how much it weighs me
this heart, which is of stone!
This heart that was winged
of music and time for tears.
But now it's flint and it breaks
any hard arrowhead.
Oh how I am not happy
have this heart of stone!"
Excerpt from the poem Coração de Pedra - Cecília Meireles.
With this metaphor, Cecília wanted to represent how her heart and her feelings, which were light before, became heavier and took away her joy.
For this, she uses the metaphor saying that her heart is a stone, that is, something completely inanimate.
See also other meanings:
- Metaphor;
- Metaphor and Comparison;
- Metaphor and Metonymy;
- famous metaphors;
- speech figures;
- figurative language;
- Comparation;
- Hyperbole;
- rhetorical figures.