Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

Representation of Emotion in Searle's Expressive Acts in the Holy Quran Based on Plutchik’s Theory (Case Study: Juz’ 26 to 28)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Linguistics, Zahedan branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.
2 Assistant professor, Department of English Language and linguistics, Rasht branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
3 Assistant professor, Department of English Language, Zahedan branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.
Abstract
The present study examines emotional actions in verses of the Holy Quran, focusing on their connection with human emotions. Based on the theoretical framework of speech acts and Plutchik's emotion wheel, an attempt has been made to examine the representation of emotions such as regret, remorse, praise, shame, disgust, and friendliness in the Quran through the analysis of selected verses (chapters twenty-six to twenty-eight of the Holy Quran). Expressive Acts such as reproach, attention-seeking, praise, curse, and regret are each used in the verses with a specific discursive purpose, including warning, teaching, confirming religious norms, and creating motivation and hope. This study, using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on qualitative and quantitative analysis, has identified the types of emotional speech acts and the emotions associated with them in the verses in question. The findings show that the act of blame has the highest frequency and emotions with negative emotional charge such as shame, disgust and warning are dominant, while positive emotions such as joy and hope point to divine kindness. A two-way correlation was observed between emotional acts (such as reproach and attention-seeking) and related emotions (such as shame and disgust). The emotional acts in the study are associated with emotions of different intensities, and the intensity of emotion in Quranic verses is closely related to the type of emotional act.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 September 2025

  • Receive Date 05 May 2025
  • Revise Date 10 August 2025
  • Accept Date 10 August 2025
  • Publish Date 14 September 2025