Pun

There are some words or expressions that sound similar but have different meanings. Skilled creators can make puns using these words to humourous or dramatic effect.

Introduction

Puns are fun, and when used well, they are witty, humourous and engaging. 

As with all figurative language, however, they rely upon the reader making a meaningful connection between the writers words and ideas, so we should consider our intended audience when using them.

Romeo and Juliet

To understand how puns can be used in a witty fashion, let's consider an example from Romeo and Juliet.

The character of Mercutio is charming, boisterous and tempestuous. He playfully goads and chides the melancholy Romeo in the opening act, and is not afraid to trade insults with the fiery Tybalt. 

Tragically, however, this war of words turns to blows, and in the ensuing duel Mercutio is stabbed by Tybalt. 

Romeo, mortified, attempts to comfort his friend, saying: 

Mercutio, however, recognises that his wound is fatal, but cannot help making one last joke with his dying words: 

So, where is the pun here? 

Remember, a pun makes use of words that sound similar but have different meanings. In this case, the pun relates to the word grave. Mercutio knows that he will not survive the day; therefore, tomorrow he will be both unhappy (grave), and buried (in a grave). 

Shakespeare's plays are full of such puns which he uses to humorous or dramatic effect depending on the mood he hopes to evoke in the audience. 

In this case, Mercutio's pun is an example of gallows humour; that is, humour about death and dying, demonstrating that his character can remain comical until the end. 

Understanding Puns

Puns can be found in all languages, suggesting a universal love of playing with the double meaning of words.

Remember, however, that puns rely on the sounds of words, so they benefit from reading language out loud—something we should do as often as possible as both readers and writers. 

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Hyperbole