What is a beloved-as-deity metaphor?

What is a beloved-as-deity metaphor?

Definition
	A conventional metaphor in which the object of love is represented as a god, thus highlighting aspects of love such as admiration, sacrifice, and enthusiasm.

Examples
	Here are some examples in English:
	He worships the ground she walks on. He put her on a pedestal. She idolizes him. He is forever singing her praises.

Generic
	A beloved-as-deity metaphor is a kind of
	What is a metaphor for lovers?

Source
	Kovecses 1986

Context for this page:

Concept module: beloved-as-deity metaphor
In modular book: Metaphors in English, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H. Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Lexicon

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 18 September 1998