The entire quatrain where that phrase is found talks about time itself. It says that time gives beauty, thus making that particular person handsome, but time also takes away that same beauty - unfair which fairly doth excel. What was once young and beautiful will become old and wither as time goes by.
A direct comparison is a metaphor.
C. Because and effect has to have an event in order for an outcome. Problems solution has to have an occurring problem to have a solution to the problem
He asked Harry if he knew what “powdered root of asphodel” and “infusion of wormwood” make together. Harry said he didn’t know and snape was like “clearly fame isn’t everything.” So he basically asked him a question he knew harry wouldn’t know to embarrass him.