Epic Similes and Metaphors: Vivid Comparisons

Achilles is compared to a lion several times in the Iliad, most notably in Book XX, where he is described as 'a lion leaping on his prey.'

Aeneas is compared to a rock in Book VI of the Aeneid, where he is described as 'a rock that stands unmoved in the midst of the waves.'

The sinners in the seventh circle of Hell are compared to trees in Canto XIII of the Inferno, where they are described as 'a forest of suicides.'

Romeo compares Juliet to the sun in Act II, Scene II of Romeo and Juliet, where he says, 'But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.'

Satan is compared to a serpent several times in Paradise Lost, most notably in Book IX, where he is described as 'that old serpent, subtilest beast of all the field.'

The Redcrosse Knight is compared to a lion several times in The Faerie Queene, most notably in Book I, Canto V, where he is described as 'a lyon of great might.'

Belinda is compared to a goddess several times in The Rape of the Lock, most notably in Canto II, where she is described as 'a bright goddess in the morning air.'

The lamb is compared to a child several times in Songs of Innocence and of Experience, most notably in the poem 'The Lamb,' where it is described as 'a meek and gentle creature.'

The child is compared to a flower several times in Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood, most notably in the line 'Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting.'

The albatross is compared to a cross several times in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, most notably in the line 'With my cross-bow I shot the albatross.'

The nightingale is compared to a bird several times in Ode to a Nightingale, most notably in the line 'Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!'

The fallen statue of Ozymandias is compared to a desert in the line 'Nothing beside remains. Round the decay / Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away.'

The Lady of Shalott is compared to a mirror several times in The Lady of Shalott, most notably in the line 'She knows not what the curse may be; / Therefore she weaveth steadily, / And little other care hath she, / The Lady of Shalott.'

The Duke compares his late wife to a painting several times in My Last Duchess, most notably in the line 'That's my last Duchess painted on the wall.'

Death is compared to a carriage several times in Because I could not stop for Death, most notably in the line 'Because I could not stop for Death, / He kindly stopped for me.'