Comb down his hair. Look, look! It stands upright, like lime twigs set to catch my winged soul

Comb down his hair. Look, look! It stands upright, like lime twigs set to catch my winged soul

In the context of William Shakespeare, the line "Comb down his hair. Look, look! It stands upright, like lime twigs set to catch my winged soul" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the inner turmoil and conflict experienced by a character in one of his plays. Shakespeare was known for his deep exploration of human emotions and the complexities of the human psyche, and this line could be seen as a reflection of the inner struggles faced by a character in one of his tragedies.

The image of combing down someone's hair suggests an attempt to calm or soothe them, but the fact that the hair stands upright like lime twigs set to catch a winged soul implies a sense of danger or impending doom. Lime twigs were often used as traps to catch birds, and in this context, they could symbolize the traps and snares that life sets for us, ready to ensnare us when we least expect it.

The mention of a winged soul adds a spiritual dimension to the line, suggesting that the character's very essence is in danger of being captured or corrupted. The idea of a soul being winged implies a sense of freedom and transcendence, but also vulnerability and fragility. The fact that the soul is compared to a bird caught in a trap reinforces the idea of entrapment and confinement, highlighting the character's sense of being trapped in a situation from which they cannot escape.

Overall, this line could be seen as a powerful expression of the inner turmoil and conflict experienced by a character in a Shakespearean play, as they struggle to navigate the traps and snares that life has set for them. It captures the sense of danger, vulnerability, and impending doom that often pervades Shakespeare's tragedies, as characters grapple with their own inner demons and external challenges.