~ What’s the difference? ~ Simile vs. Metaphor ~ What’s the difference? ~

Simile vs. Metaphor Simile comparison between two objects directly expressed Metaphor an analogy identifying one object with another (a is b) identification may be implied

SIMILE A comparison, directly expressed . . . A dungeon horrible, on all sides round As one great furnace flamed.

Connective Words A comparison, directly expressed through . . . as like compare liken resemble as . . . so than more (implied than)

SIMILE A comparison, directly expressed . . . A dungeon horrible, on all sides round Resembling one great furnace, ... The dungeon horrible, bringing to mind a great furnace, was everywhere aflame. A dungeon, similar to a great furnace, ...

SIMILE A comparison, directly expressed . . . Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips red.

Analysis I.A. Richards distinguishes between the TENOR and the VEHICLE of a metaphor. the tenor  idea expressed  subject communicated

TENOR “That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang – ” The TENOR is old age.

Analysis I.A. Richards distinguishes between the TENOR and the VEHICLE of a metaphor. the tenor  idea expressed.  subject communicated. the vehicle is the image by which . . .  the idea is conveyed.

The VEHICLE is the season Autumn. “That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang – ” The VEHICLE is the season Autumn.

*Also called HOMERIC SIMILES. Epic Simile A simile in which the vehicle outweighs the tenor. *Also called HOMERIC SIMILES.

“The attackers struck like eagles, crook-clawed, hook-beaked, swooping down from a mountain ridge to harry smaller birds that skim across the flatland cringing under the clouds but the eagles plunge in fury, rip their lives out--hopeless, never a chance of flight or rescue--and people love the sport-- so the attackers routed suitors headlong down the hall, wheeling into the slaughter, slashing left and right and grisly screams broke from skulls cracked open-- the whole floor awash with blood.” ~ The Odyssey

Practice "Think of a catch that fishermen haul in to a half moon bay in a fine meshed net from the white caps of the sea: how all are poured out on the sand, in throes for the salt sea, twitching their cold lives away in Helios' fiery air: so lay the suitors heaped on one another." ~ The Odyssey

“Like a lion who leaves the farmyard when he is exhausted attacking the dogs and men who do not allow him to carry off the fattest of the cattle, staying awake all night. Craving meat he keeps attacking, but accomplishes nothing. For spears pour constantly from brave hands and lighted torches which he fears even though he is eager. Then at dawn he draws away sullen at heart. Thus did Menelaus, good at the war shout, go from Patroclus....” (Iliad 17.657–65)