Title: What is the difference between literal language & figurative language, and why is poetry often figurative? - eNotes.com
Headings: What is the difference between literal language & figurative language, and why is poetry often figurative?
Poetry
What is the difference between literal language & figurative language, and why is poetry often figurative?
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Content: Figurative language, in contrast, is language that has acquired meaning outside its ordinary or real interpretation. It is, therefore, a language in which words, phrases, and sentences have been attributed extraordinary definitions. In dictionary terms, the variety of meanings words acquire in a figurative sense is called their connotation. The meaning of the language, unlike literal speech, is interpreted within the context in which it is used. The sentence, "The grass always looks greener on the other side," can be understood both literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, it would mean that the ground covering one area consistently seems to have a better color or hue than the other. Figuratively, it means that other lives or situations always seem better than your own. The use of figurative language in poetry is to convey meanings beyond the ordinary. Poets tend to use figures of speech such as similes, metaphors, personification, and others, to indicate a sentiment or mood and to enhance their writing. The purpose is to provide a better sense of the writer's intention and to convey this to the reader.