Q&A #5: Question 2

The second question I am interested in is whether the similarity used in a metaphor is created by the metaphor. My first inclination is to say no, given the following example "Richard is a lion". The comparison here is to say that Richard has some quality usually attributed to a lion, lets say for the sake of the example it is bravery. Clearly something Richard has done or will do will explain why such a comparison, i.e Richard is already brave. Rather than simply use the adjective brave, the metaphor is used to extend what type of bravery that is. It is not simply courage, it is an animal like impulse driven to action with disregard for phsyical harm in the face of dangerous situations. It seems that the fact Richard was brave was already established, but that in order to intensify the trait of bravery, the comparison is made to the lion. My example is obviously crafted with my conclusion in mind, but what do you guys think? Does the metaphor establish a similarity or simply provide new perspective on the attributes of the principal subject?