Question

Read the following example: When from the pillow, where wet-cheeked I lay, A head as hairy as Faunus, thrust its way Right sudden against my face, "Flush or Faunus," Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Which type of figurative language is being used in the example?

A. Metaphor
B. Allegory
C. Allusion
D. Symbolism​

Answer 1

The poem 'Flush or Faunus' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning uses allusion as the figurative language by referencing Faunus, a Roman god, to enhance its imagery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem 'Flush or Faunus' uses allusion as a type of figurative language. An allusion is when a writer references another work of literature, person, or event in their writing without explicitly mentioning it. In this case, the mention of Faunus, who is a Roman god associated with nature and forests, known for his goat-like appearance and connection to wildlife, suggests an indirect reference to mythology to enhance the meaning and imagery of the poem. The head 'as hairy as Faunus' creates a vivid image and draws a comparison without stating it directly, which would be characteristic of a metaphor.