What is the Difference Between Conceit and Metaphor?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between conceit and metaphor lies in the nature and extent of the comparison made between two unlike things. Here are the key differences:
- Conceit: Conceit is an extended and elaborate metaphor that makes a comparison between two extremely dissimilar things. It can be further classified into metaphysical conceits and Petrarchan conceits. Conceits often use unconventional and bold metaphors to provide a complex, sophisticated, and intellectual understanding of the comparison.
- Metaphor: Metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things. It is one of the most commonly used literary devices in literature and is usually concise and straightforward. A metaphor directly equates two things, such as "Life is a journey".
In summary, while both conceit and metaphor involve comparisons between unlike things, conceit is an extended and elaborate version of a metaphor that often uses unconventional and bold metaphors to create a complex and sophisticated understanding of the comparison.
Comparative Table: Conceit vs Metaphor
Here is a table comparing the differences between conceit and metaphor:
| Feature | Conceit | Metaphor |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An extended metaphor that makes a comparison between two extremely dissimilar things, often found in literature | A comparison between two unlike things, often used in literature |
| Types | Can be further classified into metaphysical conceits and Petrarchan conceits | No specific types |
| Usage | Conceits are more complex and often demand attention due to the unconventional nature of the comparison | Metaphors are simpler and more commonly used in literature |
| Connection | Connections between objects in a conceit are often unconventional and require more thought to understand | Connections between objects in a metaphor are usually more straightforward and easier to understand |
In summary, conceits are extended metaphors that make comparisons between two extremely dissimilar things, often found in literature. Metaphors, on the other hand, are simpler comparisons between two unlike things and are more commonly used in literature. Conceits can be classified into metaphysical and Petrarchan conceits, while metaphors do not have specific types.
- Metaphor vs Simile
- Symbol vs Metaphor
- Metaphor vs Metonymy
- Metaphor vs Analogy
- Metaphor vs Personification
- Metaphor vs Allegory
- Metonymy vs Synecdoche
- Simile Metaphor Personification vs Hyperbole
- Concept vs Conception
- Idea vs Concept
- Compare vs Contrast
- Poetry vs Prose
- Physics vs Metaphysics
- Paradox vs Oxymoron
- Conjecture vs Hypothesis
- Literary Devices vs Figures of Speech
- Myth vs Fable
- Conscious vs Conscience
- Literal vs Figurative Language