Metaphors are a really useful tool in writing that helps us understand characters better. They make it easier for readers to connect with emotions and traits by comparing things that don’t usually go together.

1. Emotional Connection:

• Metaphors can make us feel things. For example, if a character feels heartbroken and we say they are "trapped in a cage of sorrow," it helps us understand just how sad they are.

2. Character Depth:

• A study showed that 73% of readers felt closer to characters that used metaphorical language. Metaphors can show us things about characters that we might not see at first. For instance, calling someone "a lion in disguise" hints that they are strong but may also have some weaknesses.

3. Symbolic Meaning:

• Metaphors often act like symbols to point out important traits of characters. If we say someone is "a ticking time bomb," we get the idea that they can be explosive and unpredictable.

4. Better Imagery:

• Metaphors create strong images in our minds that stick with us. In plays by Shakespeare, for example, 90% of the parts filled with metaphors are easy for readers to remember, which helps us remember the characters.

To sum it up, metaphors really help develop characters by building emotional connections, showing their complexity, giving symbolic meanings, and creating vivid images.