Context and Development of Metaphor in Thinai Literature

Abstract

Simile has been well developed in Thinai literature. Metaphor is considered to be the best tool next to simile. Simile always equates the two things, whereas metaphor unites the two. When the songs of Thinai literature deals with metaphor the ideas, the ability to express and the ideology of the poet varies. Before Sangam literature metaphor doesn’t play an important role. Even in ‘Tholkapiyam’ a famous Tamil text, metaphor is not singled out. Though the metaphor has emerged before Sangam literature, they are contradicted by the opinions of many people. Thus, the complete development of metaphor takes place only in Sangam literature. This article explains how metaphor is handled in the songs of Thinai literature and shows how famous the songs are because of the presence of metaphor. When the passages are written in metaphorical form its nature. Application and method of interpretation are well examined. The poet’s handling of the battle scenes in metaphorical form is also explained in this article. When the natural scenes are literalized the pattern of metaphor is seen. The article also aims to explain the metaphorical pattern used in the religious songs.