Puns in Romeo and Juliet
Puns in Romeo and Juliet help make this tragic love story a bit lighter. Read on to know some examples of
puns in Romeo and Juliet…
No one can doubt the sheer brilliance of William Shakespeare. Here was a man that changed the entire
face of the English language. Of the many plays that Shakespeare penned, one of the most famous ones
that has become synonymous with love stories, is Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare, even in t the midst of a
tragic love story, manages to keep humor alive in the form of puns in Romeo and Juliet.
There are certain characters that can be found to be humorous in many ways. Not surprisingly, it is the
young men who pun. The tragedy opens with a scene built on puns. Mercutio always uses puns
deliberately and Peter indulges in witty punning at all the inappropriate times. These different characters
have been added so as to lighten the atmosphere and add a touch of reality to the story. Shakespeare is a
brilliant punster and uses puns for many purposes in his plays. Given below are a few examples of puns in
Romeo and Juliet.
List of Puns in Romeo and Juliet
Mercutio: That dreamers often lie
Romeo: In bed asleep, while they do dream things true. Dreamers lie (are false), and lie
(down)
Mercutio: You are a lover; borrow Cupid’s wings,
And soar with them above a common bound.
Romeo: I am too sore enpierced with his shaft
Sampson: Gregory, o’ my word, we’ll not carry coals
Gregory: No, for then we should be colliers
Sampson: I mean, an [if] we be in choler, we’ll draw
Gregory: Aye, while you live, draw your neck out o’ the collar
Gregory: The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.
Sampson: ‘Tis all one, I will show myself tyrant. When I have fought with the men, I
will be cruel with the maids, and cut off their heads.
Gregory: The heads of the maids?
Sampson: Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou
wilt.
Give me a torch. I am not for this ambling. Being but heavy, I will bear the light.
What dost thou make us minstrels? An thou makes minstrels of us, look to hear nothing
but discords.
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
So stakes me to the ground I cannot move.