Soul Souls Paige Hooper and Soul noun the

Soul / Souls Paige Hooper and

Soul noun • the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery in a life to come • the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments.

Soul in Othello In Othello, the word soul is used in reference to the morality of a character. In particular, the three main characters: Iago, Othello, and Desdemona. In the play, Iago’s soul is dark and twisted whilst Desdemona’s is light and innocent. Othello’s soul darkens and becomes vilified.

Iago EMILIA: If he say so, may his pernicious soul Rot half a grain a day! he lies to the heart Act V, scene ii, Line 156 -157

Iago Explained In this quote, Emilia is describing Iago after she’s discovered his deceptions and lies that have led to Desdemona’s death. This description of his soul as pernicious, which means evil or insidious, is also used to describe him as a debauchee because of his severe lack of morals.

Othello OTHELLO: Not I: I must be found: My parts, my title and my perfect soul Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? - Act I, Scene ii, Line 31 -33 OTHELLO: Where should Othello go? Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starr'd wench! Pale as thy smock! when we shall meet at compt, This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven, And fiends will snatch at it. Cold, cold, my girl! Even like thy chastity. O cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils, - Act V, scene ii, lines 274 -280

Othello Explained The two Othello quotes show Othello’s soul was corrupted due to his jealousy and possessiveness. In the first act, Othello describes his soul as “perfect” and in doing so shows his overall innocence while in the last act, after he’s committed the heinous act of murder, he describes his soul as destined for hell and to be torn apart by fiends and devils.

Desdemona OTHELLO: Sweet soul, take heed, Take heed of perjury; thou art on thy deathbed. Act V, Scene ii, Lines 1 -5

Desdemona Explained At this part in the play, Othello is standing over Desdemona and about to strangle her to death. This entire play, Othello battles with himself over killing Desdemona and saving her soul. In these lines, he talks about Desdemona’s soul yet again, calling it “sweet”. This description of her soul, at the very end when she is indeed on her “deathbed” shows how Desdemona retained her innocence throughout the entire play.