Metaphorical representation of the emotional concept of LOVE in W. S. Maugham’s artistic worldview

Abstract

This article is dedicated to examination of metaphorical nomination of the emotional concept of LOVE in the works of William Somerset Maugham. The novels “Mrs. Craddock”, “The Hero”, “The Theatre” and “Of Human Bondage” served as the material for this research. Emotional component serves as organizing core of the literary work; while metaphor is the means for representation of emotions. It is based on the shift of the existing knowledge on the world onto the emotional sphere of a person. The goal of this study is to describe metaphors used by W. S. Maugham for designation and representation of the concept of LOVE. The research is carried out in the context of cognitive linguistics. Despite a vast number of studies dedicated to cognitive metaphor, it remains relevant as it helps comprehending complicated abstract concepts. Metaphor becomes the means for accessing the emotional concepts. Analysis of metaphorical representation of the emotional concept of LOVE in the works of W. S. Maugham allowed revealing metaphorical models that are realized through cognitive metaphors: love is water, love is fire, love is illness, love is madness, love is pain, love is a person, love is a beast, love is a parasite, love is a construction, love is fetters, love is a valuable thing.