analogy


 * ANALOGY**

Illustration of an idea by means of a more familiar idea that is similar or parallel to it in some significant features.
 * Definition**

OPHELIA And [Hamlet] hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, With almost all the holy vows of heaven. POLONIUS Ay, to catch woodcocks. (I.iii.122-4)
 * Example from Shakespeare (Hamlet)**

In this example, Polonius draws an analogy between Hamlet’s vows of love for Ophelia and snares used to capture dim birds. Through this metaphor, Polonius dismisses Hamlet’s protestations as being fraudulent and having the sole goal of obtaining Ophelia’s “chaste treasures”. The analogy effectively paints a visual image of Hamlet lustfully waiting to snare an unwitting Ophelia, reinforcing Polonius’ suspicion concerning Hamlet’s true motives for courting Ophelia.

Oh, just another kind of outdoor game, One on a side. It comes to little more:...
 * Example from Frost ("Mending Wall")**

Frost draws a comparison between the process of rebuilding the wall each year to an "outdoor game" of sorts that he plays witih his neighbor. This analogy reinforces the speaker's (or Frost's) mocking tone towards the wall. Calling the wall-mending process a mere game exemplifies the pointlessness of the wall's existence.


 * Sayhee Cook**