Question

You already know the two literary devices generally used by writers and poets for comparison, i.e. metaphor and simile.

e.g. a) He was a lion in the battle, (metaphor)
b) He fought like a lion, (simile) 

In (a) the writer talks of the soldier in terms of a lion. The comparison is implied.
In (b) the writer compares the soldier to a lion with the use of the word like, (as may also be used for such comparisons.) 

Read the poem again and note down the metaphors and similes. Complete the following chart.

Reference	Metaphor	Simile
world	all the world's a stage
men, women
school-boy
lover
soldier
reputation
voice

Which comparison(s) do you find most interesting? Why? 

Answer 1

The metaphor of‘stage’ is quite interesting. Men and women are merely players. The simile describing the lover sighing like a furnace is quite apt and logical. So is the metaphor ‘bubble reputation’. It shows the transitory nature of honour or reputation the soldier is seeking. The metaphor ‘childish treble’ highlights the high-pitched sounds created when the ‘old pantaloon’ speaks.

Item	Metaphor	Simile
world	all the world’s a stage
men	merely players
women
schoolboy	whining schoolboy	creeping like a snail
lover		Sighing like a furnace
soldier		bearded like the pard
reputation	Seeking the bubble reputation
voice	Turning again toward childish treble, pipes  And whistles in his sound