Elaboration of Lakoff´s Contemporary Theory on Metaphors and Tsur´s counterthesis Lakoff´s Roads not taken

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Academic Paper from the year 2017 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: -, University of Osnabrück (IfAA), course: Metaphern, language: English, abstract: A great number of authors tried to describe the structure and meaning of metaphors as well as the way they work. Most of the writers tried to point out certain characteristics which make them different from other forms of figurative language or laid down rules for metaphors communicative functionality. Apart from this, metaphors are still enriching our languages. They enable us to express difficult topics in written and spoken language. The Oxford dictionary defines metaphor as "a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else." In other words, as "a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable." That is why all metaphors to some degree have a certain independent existence and can be easily seen in different ways.This elaboration attempts to portray the main features of George Lakoff's "Contemporary Theory of Metaphors" with a focus on the part of the theory which deals with metaphors within a literary background. This is followed by Reuven Tsur's critique of Lakoff's theory regarding poetic metaphors.