METAPHORICAL FRAMING OF THE ENEMY: POWER, MORALITY, AND IDENTITY IN DISCOURSE

The language we use to describe our enemies reveals more about us than about them. Metaphors play a powerful role in shaping how we understand conflict, difference, and morality. This article explores how the concept of the enemy is framed through metaphorical language and how those metaphors influence perceptions of power, moral judgment, and group identity. It argues that the metaphors we live by are not neutral—they can divide or connect, justify violence or invite understanding. By examining how ordinary words carry extraordinary power, this study shows that changing the way we speak about enemies may be the first step toward changing the way we see them.