The Way of the World
What metaphors are used in The Way of the World by William Congreve?
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"Last night was one of their cabal nights; they have 'em three times a-week, and meet by turns at one another's apartments, where they come together like the coroner's inquest, to sit upon the murdered reputations of the week." (Act I, Scene I) (Simile/Metaphor)
This quote includes both simile - ""like the coroner's inquest" - and metaphor - "to sit upon the murdered reputations of the week." The quote pokes fun at the women in the play taking gossip as seriously as if it were a profession, though the men in the play certainly engage in gossip and reputation-mongering as well. The image of a "murdered reputation" is an especially important one to the play, as a fear of social murder or suicide is what keeps the characters in the play churning with schemes and secrets.