2. Puns Demos OMMS 2009

3. Puns A pun is a joke based on the use of a word, or more than one word, that has more than one meaning but the same sound. Mercutio and Romeo often exchange puns with one another in the play.

4. Example Mercutio: Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. Romeo: Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes/ With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead. What is the pun here? What might Shakespeare be trying to point out?

5. Explanation Soles--The bottom or under part of a shoe or foot. Souls--The emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments. Romeo says he cant dance--his soul is heavy, he is depressed.

6. Examples I was just arrested at the airport. Just because I was greeting my cousin, Jack! All I said was, Hi Jack, but very loud. I hear this new cemetery is very popular. People are just dying to get in. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

7. Puns in Romeo and Juliet No, tis not so deep as a well, not so wide as a church-door, but tis enough, twill serve: ask for me tomorrow, and you will find me a grave man. Hint: Grave=serious, dead, sad

8. Puns in Romeo and Juliet Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy, I will bear the light. Hint: Heavy=in a bad mood; Light=not weighing much; a torch Ambling= to walk at a leisurely pace