8. She was as unsuspicious which "licks the hand just raised to shed its blocd." 9. She mourns which has lost its mate. 10. Sorrow shades the soul, as a cloud 11. He is as firm above the billows. 12. Man is which rears its head unmoved which to day springeth up and bloom eth, and to-morrow withereth away. 13. Shakspeare tells us that Desdemona's skin was as white as, and as smooth 14. He stood silent and motionless LESSON LXXXIII. METAPHOR. WHAT is the most common figure? Metaphor. What is metaphor ? Metaphor is a comparison in which the words denoting the similitude are omitted; as, "Good nature is a sun which sheds light on all around.” How may a simile be converted into a metaphor ? By omitting the word like or as, and slightly altering the construction of the sentence, as may be required by this omission. Give an example. "Vice like a Siren, sings her songs in the ears of youth," here we have a simile. By omitting like, and slightly altering the sentence, we convert the simile into a metaphor; thus, "Vice is a Siren that sings her songs in the ears of youth." What is essential to the effect of a metaphor ? That the resemblance between the objects compared should be evident. Is it well to crowd a number of metaphors together into a small compass? It is not; they lose their effect, when used in too great abundance. What is the most important rule relating to the use of metaphors ? Always carry out the figure; that is after having introduced a metaphor, do not in the same sentence return to the use of plain language. Give an example in which this rule is violated. Pope, in his translation of Homer's Odyssey, makes Penelope, when speaking of her son, say, "Now from my fond embrace by tempests torn, Nor took a kind adieu, nor sought consent." In the second line she calls her son a "column of the state,” and in the third speaks of his taking a kind adieu, and seeking consent. Now as columns are not in the habit of taking kind adieus, or seeking consent, there is an inconsistency, and the metaphor is faulty. The poet should either not have likened him to a column, or else should have assigned to him no action that a column cannot perform. How may such metaphors be corrected? By assigning to the leading object an action no' incompatible with the object to which it is com pared. Give an example. "A torrent of superstition consumed the land," here not consume. the metaphor would be faulty because torrents do We correct it by assigning to the leading object an action not incompatible with the nature of torrents; thus, "A torrent of superstition flowed over the land." What other rule must be observed with regard to metaphors? They must be appropriate. Give an example of an inappropriate metaphor? The clergyman who prayed that 'God would be a rock to them that are afar off upon the sea,' used a very inappropriate metaphor, because as rocks in the sea are a source of great danger to mariners, he was in reality asking for the destruction of those for whose safety he intended to pray. EXERCISE. 1. Complete and alter sentences 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, in the Exercise at the close of the last Lesson, so that they may contain metaphors instead of similes. Remember that in a metaphor the comparison is not introduced by the word like or as. 2. Complete the following sentences so that they may contain metaphors. EXAMPLE. The cares of riches are we bind ourselves to earth. with which Completed. The cares of riches are golden chains with which we bind ourselves to earth. 1. Truth is a beautiful but simple we should all seek to array ourselves. 2. Money is the in which which the miser worships. of vice. 3. He became involved in the EXERCISE IN METAPHORICAL LANGUAGE. CONVERT the following figurative language into plain language which will express the same idea. EXAMPLE. The evening of life. A hard heart. In plain language. Old age. An uncompassionate heart. 1. The morning of life. The veil of night. A fiery temper. A deep thinker. A light disposition. A cold heart. A warm friend. 2. We met with a freezing reception. 3. Richard was now at the zenith of his glory. 4. The earth is thirsty. 5. The sea swallows many a noble vessel. 6. Ajax was the bulwark of the Greeks. 7. His hard heart was melted by the speaker's fire. Convert the following plain language into figu rative language that will express the same idea The words in parentheses after each sentence are intended to suggest an appropriate figure. EXAMPLE. The meadows are covered with grass. (Clothed, robes.) In figurative language. The meadows are clothed in their robes of green. 8. The ocean was calm. (Waves, asleep, bosom.) 9. In youth all things seem pleasant. (Morning, colored, roseate hue.) 10. A true friend will tell us of our faults. (Friend ship, mirror.) 11. Let us renounce the dominion of the tyrant. (Cast off, yoke.) 12. Guilt is generally miserable. (Wedded.) 13. Hope is a great support in misfortune. (Anchor, soul clings, sea.) 14. Homer's poetry is more sublime than Virgil's (Genius, soars higher.) LESSON LXXXV. PERSONIFICATION. WHAT is personification? Personification is a figure by which we attribute life, sex, or action to inanimate objects. Thus, when we say "the land smiles with plenty," we represent the earth as a living creature, smiling. What effect has the judicious use of this figure upon style? |