<span>Figurative language can, in
fact, go beyond personification as it can, too, include metaphors, similes, and
hyperbole. Personification is where
human attributes are given to something non-human. However, “visage” means one’s face, which is
already human; thus, there is no personification in masking a human face or masking
one’s visage. In looking at the excerpt,
there are no similes because there is no use of “like” or “as” which are needed
for a simile, and there is no use of metaphors because no comparisons are being
made. What is present, however, is a
hyperbole, which is an exaggeration that is really not meant to be taken at
face value. The hyperbole (figurative
language) present is in how Brutus is communicating that somebody’s face is so
ugly that there is probably no cave dark enough during the day within which one
could hide a monstrous face, so the best bet is probably just smile and/or try “put
on” a friendly face.</span>
