Assignment 3
Finding the Fun in the PunBelow are some lines from some of William Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. You will find a pun in each set of lines in bold print. On the lines below each quote, briefly explain the pun as you think Shakespeare might have intended for his audience. Remember, a pun can be a humorous play on words that look or sound alike, but have different meanings. Look at the hints provided and just take a minute to "think about it!"


1. "No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door, but 'tis enough, 'twill serve: ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man." Romeo and Juliet (Act iii, S.1) Hint:Grave=serious, dead, sad._The wound is not to wide nor to small, but its enough to kill. Tomorrow he will be found a dead man, in his grave._



2. I'll make a ghost of him that lets me!" Hamlet (Act i, S.4) Hint: In Shakespeare's day, "let"meant "hinder," and today means the opposite, "allow."__Hamlet is meaning that he will do something bad. Even though they wont let him.__



3. "If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion, I." Henry IV, Part On (Act ii, S.4) Hint: "Reason" was pronounced "raisin" in Shakespeare's day.__he is saying that__



4. "Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy, I will bear the light." Romeo and Juliet (Act i, S.4) Hint: Heavy = in a bad mood; Light = not weighing much; a torch.___________________________