Sometimes called a “conceit”, an extended metaphor is one
that continues throughout a work. It is a comparison that, once established, occurs
frequently or throughout a work. Often, it permeates the entire work. It is very common
to see such extended metaphors in poetry and fiction.
Some
examples are Romeo’s speech outside of Juliet’s window. He compares Juliet to the sun
(“But lo! What light from yonder window breaks......”). Another example from Shakespeare
is Hamlet’s speech in Act 1, Scene 2, where he compares the world to a garden that has
been neglected for a long time. He is referring to his mother’s relationship with his
uncle as being smething "rank" just like a neglected garden. In Macbeth,
there are many instances when peoples’ roles are compared to clothing –
sometimes the fit, and sometimes they do not. When the witches tell Macbeth he will be
Thane of Cawdor, he states that the Thane still lives, so why do they “dress him in
borrowed robes?” and later, when he is talking about killing Duncan, he tells his wife
that Duncan has honored him, so why should he cast off this clothing so soon (the
clothing meaning the honor).
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