Metaphor is a common poetic device used to create imagery and comparisons in poetry. It is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated. With metaphor, the qualities of one thing are figuratively carried over to another. Unlike simile, which uses the words "like" or "as" to make a comparison, a metaphor states that one thing is another. For example, in Shakespeares play Romeo and Juliet, Romeo proclaims, "Juliet is the sun". This metaphor compares Juliet to the sun, suggesting that she is radiant and beautiful.
Metaphors are used in poetry to establish imagery by creating a vivid picture of how an object, person, or action might appear. They can provoke readers to think beyond the literal sense of a poem, promoting debate and criticism, which are drivers of enlightenment. Metaphors can also be used to expand on an idea by describing it more, thus giving it more weight in the poem. Additionally, metaphors can create symbolism, where one object becomes a symbol of another.
