There are two primary figures of speech which are used to compare one entity to another. One of them is called "simile"; the other is called "metaphor."
A simile normally uses the word "as" or "like" to make the comparison, such as: "He ran as fast...
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There are two primary figures of speech which are used to compare one entity to another. One of them is called "simile"; the other is called "metaphor."
A simile normally uses the word "as" or "like" to make the comparison, such as: "He ran as fast as a jackrabbit"; "His face was dirty as a coal miners' at the end of the shift"; "Her skin was like satin."
A "metaphor" does not say that a thing is LIKE another thing. Rather, it states that one thing IS the other. For example: "My heart is a wanderer." "My stomach is Jello."
Your quote, "thy mind is a very opal," is a metaphor. Now, think of the characteristics of an opal, and try to think of a person's mind as being the same.