Example 1:
OPHELIA He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders*
Of his affection to me.
LORD POLONIUS Affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl,
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.
Do you believe his tenders,** as you call them?
OPHELIA I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
LORD POLONIUS Marry, I'll teach you: think yourself a baby;
That you have ta'en these tenders*** for true pay,
Which are not sterling. Tender**** yourself more dearly;
Or--not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,
Running it thus--you'll tender***** me a fool. (Hamlet 1. 3. 99-109)
* = tokens (possibly connoting guestures and gifts that convey tender feelings)
** = a formal offer or contract (as a marriage proposal)
*** = something, esp money, used as an official medium of payment (which means it is not real money)
**** = (verb) to offer something officially or formally (Polonius demands Ophelia to play hard to get.)
***** = (verb) to bring something (like a bastard)
In addition, "green" in line 3 also means "tender." But, for once, Shakespeare checked himself from "out-punning" himself.
Example 2:
This is what Roxanne told me.
A: Why did the football coach shake the vending machine?
B: Because he wanted his quarter back!
Example 3:
"I see" said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw.
The mute man picked up his wheel and spoke.
The deaf man moved his cattle and herd.
Example 4:
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
Bug swear by Thy self, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, Thou has done;
I fear no more.
Above is a stanza from John Donne's "A Hymn to God the Father." Which word is used as a pun?
