The metaphor’s message

Let me open a treasure chest to explain how metaphor works

Once maligned by philosophers, metaphors are a key communication tool for extending the power of literal speech. A starry-eyed Romeo stares up at a balcony and sighs: ‘But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.’ This utterance achieves several different effects. For one, it reveals to you something about Romeo’s inner mental life. You learn that he loves Juliet, and that he finds her beautiful. The expression is also likely to achieve certain imagistic effects. After hearing Romeo’s words, you may find yourself imagining Juliet as the sun, picturing her in a particular way. ….[READ]