A Contrastive Analysis of Conceptual Metaphors of Love in the Selected Poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Pablo Neruda

Abstract

This study uses Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and applies a qualitative descriptive method. This study aims to find out the three types of conceptual metaphor of love structural metaphor, ontological metaphor, and orientational metaphor are used in each of the six selected poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Pablo Neruda and analyse the differences and similarities in how they express love in the three types of conceptual metaphor by applied cognitive semantic to find the meaning to make it easier to classified. The findings of this study show that Browning uses 7 structural metaphors, 8 ontological metaphors, and 3 orientational metaphors, which is mapped love is “UP”. While Pablo Neruda uses 6 structural metaphors, 6 ontological metaphors, and two orientational metaphors, which map love as “DOWN”. The results of this study show that both poets use different styles and ideas in expressing love. Elizabeth Barrett Browning represents love as spiritual, deep, and faithful in her selected poems, while Pablo Neruda portrays love through the use of metaphors as something more intense, emotional, and physical. This study suggests that future researchers analyse conceptual metaphors for love in other genres, such as novels, short stories, and even songs.