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Working with Metaphors
The first theory that we know on metaphors was presented by Aristotle, who saw metaphor as a rhetorical phenomenon. By using one concept, or word, to indicate another one a discourse could be made in a more exiting and elegant way. The metaphor was seen as a rhetorical effect to be used instead of saying something straightforward. Aristotle compared metaphor with simile (which is a more concrete and explicit comparison between two concepts) and found that the metaphor was shorter and more concentrated than simile, using surprise and concealedness to make a statement more interesting. This theory is called the substitution theory, and is based on the concept of transfer of meaning - metaphor is used to change the meaning of a word, for example, metaphorically speaking, in order to dress a less pleasant word in a nicer costume.

Practice
1. My friend, the swift mule, fleet wild ass of the mountain, panther of the wilderness, after we joined together and went up into the mountain, fought the Bull of Heaven and killed it, and overwhelmed Humbaba, who lived in the Cedar Forest, now what is this sleep that has seized you? In this example, the friend is compared to a mule, a wild donkey, and a panther to indicate that the speaker sees traits from these animals in his friend (A comparison between two or more unlike objects) 2. With flying colours. The colours was the national flag flown at sea during battle, a ship would surrender by lowering the colours and the term is now used to indicate a triumphant victory or win. 3. The teacher got to the bottom of the problem. 4. My dad was boiling mad. 5. His idea was difficult to swallow. 6. The homework was a breeze. 7. They showered the birthday girl with gifts. 8. My memory of the event is foggy. 9. The streets were a furnace, the sun an executioner. 10. The rain came down in long knitting needles. 11. All babies eyes are deep pools of potential. 12. I cant digest this much information. 13. Just when I think I understand, it all gets shuffled around