Metaphor is one of the most powerful literary devices used to convey meaning in literature. Metaphors are comparisons of two unrelated things which are used to help readers understand a concept more clearly. They are often used to evoke emotion and create vivid images in the reader’s mind.

Throughout history, metaphors have been used in some of the world’s greatest works of literature. In Homer’s Odyssey, the metaphor of the sea is used to represent the journey of life, with its many ups and downs. William Shakespeare’s plays are full of metaphors, such as in Romeo and Juliet, when Juliet compares Romeo to the sun, saying “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!”. In the classic novel Moby Dick, Herman Melville uses the metaphor of the sea to represent the unknown and the danger of the unknown.

Metaphors can be used to convey a variety of meanings, from the sublime and spiritual to the mundane and everyday. Metaphors can also be used to create a sense of mystery or to add depth to a character’s thoughts and feelings. In the modern novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses metaphor to create a sense of mystery and longing. He compares the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock to Gatsby’s longing for Daisy, saying “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.”

The power of metaphor in literature lies in its ability to evoke emotion and create vivid images in the reader’s mind. Metaphors can also be used to convey a deeper meaning or to add depth to a character’s thoughts and feelings. By using metaphors, authors can take a concept and make it more accessible to the reader, allowing them to connect more deeply with the story.

Metaphors have been used in literature for centuries and their use has changed over time. In classical literature, metaphors were often used to evoke a sense of mystery and awe. In modern literature, metaphors are often used to convey a deeper meaning or to add depth to a character’s thoughts and feelings.


In conclusion, metaphor is a powerful literary device that has been used to convey meaning in some of the world’s greatest works of literature. Metaphors are comparisons of two unrelated things which are used to help readers understand a concept more clearly. They can be used to evoke emotion and create vivid images in the reader’s mind. Metaphors have been used in literature for centuries and their use has changed over time. Authors have used metaphors to convey a variety of meanings, from the sublime and spiritual to the mundane and everyday. By using metaphors, authors can take a concept and make it more accessible to the reader, allowing them to connect more deeply with the story.