What metaphors are used in Great Dialogues by Plato?

Much of the narrative becomes a metaphor for the virtues of philosophy. The nobility of the philosophical life is emphasized in several of the dialogs. The nobility of the philosophical life is obvious in "The Republic" where the philosopher, being the wisest of all citizens, rules the city. In fact, so noble is the philosophical life that the philosophers must actually be coerced to rule, since they much prefer to spend their time contemplating truths. The philosopher is also the happiest of all men, since his pleasure—truth—is the greatest of all pleasures.