WAEC - Literature In English (2003 - No. 39)
This question is based on William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
Read the extract below and answer the question
.....I owe you much, and like a wilful youth
That which I owe is lost: but if you please
To shoot another arrow that self way
which you did shoot the first.
And thankfully rest debtor for the first
(Act 1 sc 1)
The underlined expression is an example of
symbolism
imagery
metaphor
allusion
Explanation
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is said to be another, helping to explain an idea or concept by highlighting similarities. In this extract, the speaker compares the debt or obligation they owe to someone to the act of shooting arrows. The idea of "shooting another arrow" is not meant to be taken literally, but rather symbolizes the speaker's wish for a second chance or opportunity to rectify the situation.
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