Аnimus и anima во игрите со зборови кај Плаут

Abstract

This article focuses on the use of the words animus and anima in Roman comediographer Plautus' word-plays. The etymological analysis of the words that denote „soul“ in the Indo-European languages points to the perception of the soul as a breath or vapor on one hand and of the air as an essential element of life on the other hand. Therefore, in the Latin language from the same stem anim- the words anima, „breath, soul“, animus, „air, soul, spirit, mind, heart“ and animal, „animal, living creature“ have been derived. The etymologically related word in the Greek language, ἄνεμος means „wind“. The analysis of the examples shows that Plautus plays in different ways with the nouns animus and anima, using the multiple meanings of both nouns, contrasting their semantic difference and closeness and relating them to words that are derived from other roots or stems, but denote „smoke“, „breathe“, „breathing, gasp“ such as fumus, respiro, anhelitus. The analysis also shows that the original meanings „breath“ and „air“ of anima and animus were preserved even after the meanings „soul, spirit, consciousness, attention, heart, life“ were developed and exactly this semantic development is the basis for the word-plays.