Difference between simile and metaphor

Simile
Definition:
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." This explicit comparison helps create a vivid image in the reader's mind.
Characteristics:
Direct Comparison: Uses "like" or "as" to highlight similarities between two different things.
Clarity: The comparison is straightforward and easy to understand.
Imagery: Enhances descriptions by making them more relatable and vivid.
Examples:
William Wordsworth: “I wandered lonely as a cloud” from his poem "Daffodils" compares the speaker's wandering to a cloud drifting in the sky.
Robert Burns: “O my Luve is like a red, red rose” from his poem “A Red, Red Rose” compares his love to a beautiful, vibrant rose.
Charles Dickens: “There was a long, heavy roll, like the moaning of a forlorn wind” from "A Tale of Two Cities" creates an eerie atmosphere by comparing the roll to a moaning wind.
Metaphor
Definition:
A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." It states that one thing is another, thus highlighting similarities in a more direct manner.
Characteristics:
Implied Comparison: States that one thing is another, creating a more indirect comparison.
Depth: Can add layers of meaning and complexity to writing.
Imagery: Creates strong imagery and can evoke emotions and thoughts.
Examples:
William Shakespeare: “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players” from "As You Like It" suggests that life is like a play and people are actors with roles.
Emily Dickinson: “Hope is the thing with feathers” from her poem "Hope is the Thing with Feathers" compares hope to a bird that perches in the soul.
Langston Hughes: “Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly” from his poem "Dreams" conveys the fragility and loss of dreams through the metaphor of a bird with a broken wing.
History and Notable Authors
History:
Ancient Origins: Both similes and metaphors have roots in ancient literature. Homer’s "Iliad" and "Odyssey" are filled with epic similes, often called Homeric similes, which compare heroic actions to everyday events.
Classical Literature: Metaphors were heavily utilized by ancient philosophers and poets, such as Aristotle, who discussed their significance in his work "Poetics."
Notable Authors:
William Shakespeare: Known for his masterful use of both similes and metaphors. His works, such as "Romeo and Juliet," are rich with these literary devices.
Emily Dickinson: Utilized metaphors to convey complex ideas and emotions in a succinct manner.
Robert Frost: Often used similes to paint vivid pictures of rural life in his poetry.
Summary
Simile: Direct comparison using "like" or "as."
Examples: “I wandered lonely as a cloud” (Wordsworth), “O my Luve is like a red, red rose” (Burns).
Characteristics: Clear, straightforward, vivid imagery.
Metaphor: Implied comparison without using "like" or "as."
Examples: “All the world’s a stage” (Shakespeare), “Hope is the thing with feathers” (Dickinson).
Characteristics: Indirect, layered meaning, strong imagery.