Metaphor
Metaphor: A direct comparison that states one thing is another, without 'like' or 'as'.
A metaphor forces two unlike things to share one identity, letting a writer compress a whole argument about their subject into a single image.
Metaphor examples
"All the world's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players."
— As You Like It, Shakespeare
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul."
— Emily Dickinson
"The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas."
— The Highwayman, Alfred Noyes
"It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."
— Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare
Want a full walkthrough? Read our long-form guide: Metaphor examples, explained.
Spot the Metaphor
Score: 0/0A direct comparison that states one thing is another, without 'like' or 'as'.
"All the world's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players."
Which work is this from?
Explore every literary device in the poetic devices hub.
Metaphor: common questions
What is metaphor in literature?
A direct comparison that states one thing is another, without 'like' or 'as'. A metaphor forces two unlike things to share one identity, letting a writer compress a whole argument about their subject into a single image.
What is an example of metaphor?
A classic example is "All the world's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players." (As You Like It, Shakespeare).
What is the difference between a metaphor and a simile?
A simile keeps the two things separate with 'like' or 'as' ('my love is like a rose'); a metaphor fuses them ('my love is a rose'). The metaphor claims identity, the simile claims resemblance.
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