Simile

Question

In the new century have we abandonded the distinction between simile and metaphor?

I've scoured my dictionaries seeking some justification for calling this a metaphor. There is none which I can find:
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on my confusion.

- A.

Sam1947 · Accepted Answer

The argument can be made that since a human being cannot actually be a summer's day, this could be either a simile or a metaphor...or both.

A metaphor applies a term or phrase to something to which it is not literally applicable. A summer's day is not literally applicable to a human being. Ergo...metaphor.

But, one can also argue that it is a simile, as a simile compares two unlike things. In this case, that would be a person and a summer's day.

Maybe you could explain further your difficulty with this being labeled a metaphor.

Avangi · Answer

Hi, sam. It's not easy.

To borrow from your definition, "a metaphor applies a term or phrase to something."

In my mind, the operational word has always been "applies." It is not a comparison as such.

You are a summer's day. That's a metaphor, in my estimation. I am applying the term to you.

You are a dead fish. (metaphor)

You are like a dead fish. (simile)

Being with you is like being with a dead fish.
Shall I compare thee to a dead fish?
Thou art more lifeless and more cold.

You are as much fun as a dead fish.

Granted, the two things being labeled/described are different from each other (in both figures of speech), which is the purpose of the phrase.

But the simile is a bold-faced comparison. It's called a comparison in the sentence:
I am going to compare you to a summer's day. Ready? Here we go.

You are my guiding star would be neither a simile nor a metaphor, because the definition of "guiding star" is commonly applied to people.

But the Bard never says, "You are my summer's day."
He doesn't even say, "To me, you are like a summer's day."

He says, "To me, you are far better than a summer's day."

Many teachers make a big deal out of "comparison using 'like' or 'as'."
So people say, "Well, if it doesn't use 'like' or 'as,' it must be a metaphor."

Thanks for listening. - A.

Edit. I dare say, "And summer's lease hath all too short a date" is a metaphor.
Calling summer's phase duration in the seasonal cycle a "lease" implies perhaps a controlling hand, or a controlling document - unyielding.

Everlastinghope · Answer

In the beginning of "Shall I Compare thee to a Summer's Day analysis",it's stated that he compared his subject to a Summer's Day,then it's well explained in Shakespear's Lines that it's not just a comparison but more than that "Thou art more lovely and more temperate".

Personally,I think if we call it a metaphore,it means we're saying indirectly " you are like a Summer's Day",but it's not the case since there's "more".So what is it ?.

Avangi · Answer

everlastinghopeSo what is it ?

Hi, ever!
It's a comparison!

I'd call it a simile. I guess I implied that.
I've always taken the definition of "metaphor" as more restrictive than that of "simile."
In grade school we're taught a simile is a comparison using "like" or "as."
My AmHtg says "typically with "like" or "as."

a) You are a rollercoaster.
b) You are like a rollercoaster.
c) You are better than a rollercoaster.

If I had the job of grouping c) either in a category with a) or in a cagegory with b), I'd choose b). I suppose it's argumentative.

a) is obviously a metaphor. b) is obviously a simile.

Must we categorize c) by deciding which definition is least offended?
On this basis, I have to call c) a simile.

Best wishes, - A.

Everlastinghope · Answer

I thank you for your reply and explanation.I thought that simile as stated on some websites and dictionaries is the comparison which contains "like and as",but from your definition or explanation is we can use a comparison of superiority to mean simile,which means not only "like and as" are used,right ?

Many thanks again,

Best regards

Avangi · Answer

That's my understanding.

- A.

Not just "superiority"!

(One of my mother's: You're worse than the ten-year itch!)

Someone may come up with an authority claiming these are not similes, but something else. I'm open to that.

But if someone wants to call them metaphors, I might dig in my heels - for a little while, anyway.

Sam1947 · Answer

What I worry about is that parsing this to decide if it is a simile, or a metaphor, or could be classified as both, is that the reader is completely losing the beauty of the language by obsessing about the form. Why care, really? It is beautiful writing. Just enjoy it for the beauty!

Sometimes I think we analyze poetry and prose to the point of losing the esoteric quality of both.

Avangi · Answer

Well said, sam. [Y]

But who's minding the store?

Our members learn in different ways. Some find concepts such as "metaphor" and "simile" useful.
Prescriptivists need love too!

You need to clean your tools once in a while.

- A.

Sam1947 · Answer

I'm not sure what you mean by "cleaning my tools," but I have no objection to persons caring about these distinctions.  My point was, that in this particular case, the language is too beautiful to be lost in an academic debate. As one should enjoy a beautiful summer's day, sometimes, one should just enjoy the beauty of language.  But, to quote another long string in this forum, "that's just me!" <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Avangi · Answer

Your comments have been quite helpful. I needed to tough this thing out.
I've always loved the work, and would have preferred to air the issue using something less sacred.
It was not my choice.

But now that it's almost over, let me play devil's advocate:

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st;
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Isn't this really the most arrogant conceit you've ever heard? [6]

Simile

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions