Interpretation of Biblical Metaphors: The Effect of Metaphor

Abstract

Starting with the earliest discussions of metaphor, writers have addressed the issue of its potential effects. In the Art of Rhetoric, Aristotle considers the potential impact of the orator's use of language on a given audience. He provides two explanations for the pleasantness inherent in metaphor. Aristotle contrasts a well-crafted metaphor, which can provide clarity, knowledge, wit, and vividness, to an inappropriate metaphor, which can cause frigidity and prove unpersuasive. Likewise, Agha approaches metaphor as a rhetorical figure, an instrument for acting upon or interacting with people and a means for conveying information in an engaging and persuasive way. Five of the eight metaphoric utterances in 1 Samuel 25 occur in the context of direct discourse: in the speech by Nabal's servant to Abigail and in Abigail's lengthy plea to David. From the time of Aristotle to the present day, scholars have stressed the informative aspect of metaphor.Keywords: Aristotle; Art of Rhetoric; Biblical metaphors; rhetorical figure; Samuel 25