The Art of the Bard & The "Punny" Side of Poetry

Introduction

Welcome, Literary Adventurers! Today, you aren’t just reading old texts; you are becoming a detective of language. William Shakespeare is famous for his tragedies and drama, but he was also a master of the pun and wordplay. In this WebQuest, you will explore the life of the Bard and dive into the "lighter" side of poetry to see how humor is built into verse.

Task

Phase 1: The Man Behind the Mask

Before we look at the jokes, we have to know the joker. Visit the Folger Shakespeare Library or a similar reputable source to answer these questions:

  1. The Mystery: We don't actually know Shakespeare's exact birthday. What date do we traditionally celebrate it, and why?

  2. The Resume: Besides writing plays, what were Shakespeare’s two other main roles in the London theater scene?

  3. The Vocabulary: It is estimated that Shakespeare introduced over 1,700 words into the English language. Find three words he invented that we still use today.

Process

Phase 2: Why Is It Funny? (The Mechanics of Wit)

Humor in poetry usually relies on specific "tools." Use your research skills to define the following terms and find one example of each:

Term Definition Example (Short Quote or Title)
Pun A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word. Ex: "A mender of bad soles." (Julius Caesar)
Hyperbole    
Satire    
Limerick    
Evaluation

Phase 3: Shakespeare’s "Sassy" Sonnets

Shakespeare didn't just write about "love being like a red, red rose." In Sonnet 130, he actually makes fun of traditional love poetry.

  • Task: Locate a copy of Sonnet 130 ("My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun").

  • Analysis:

    • What is one physical attribute he "insults" about his mistress?

    • In the final two lines (the couplet), how does he flip the script to show he actually loves her?

    • Why is this poem considered "funny" or "witty" compared to standard romantic poems?

Phase 4: The Creative Challenge

Now it’s your turn to be the poet. Choose one of the following tasks to complete:

  • Option A: The Modern Insult. Using Shakespeare’s Insult Kit, create a 4-line poem (AABB rhyme scheme) "roasting" a common modern annoyance (like slow Wi-Fi or a flat tire) using at least two Shakespearean terms.

  • Option B: The Literary Limerick. Write a 5-line limerick about a character from a Shakespeare play (e.g., Romeo, Juliet, or Hamlet). Remember the rhythm: da-DUM da-da-DUM da-da-DUM.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've navigated the Elizabethan era and decoded the secrets of poetic wit. You’ve seen that poetry isn’t always serious—it can be a playground for language, irony, and humor.

Turn In: Please submit your answers to the questions in Phase 1-3 and your original poem from Phase 4.

Teacher Page

WebQuest Answer Key & Teacher’s Guide

Here is the answer key and additional context for the "The Art of the Bard & The 'Punny' Side of Poetry" WebQuest.

Phase 1: The Man Behind the Mask

  1. The Mystery: We traditionally celebrate his birthday on April 23rd. This is because church records show he was baptized on April 26, 1564, and it was customary to baptize infants three days after birth. Coincidentally, he also died on April 23rd.

  2. The Resume: In addition to being a Playwright, Shakespeare was an Actor (performing with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men) and a Shareholder/Business Owner (he owned a portion of the Globe Theatre).

  3. The Vocabulary: Common examples include:

    • Eyeball (The Tempest)

    • Swagger (A Midsummer Night's Dream)

    • Gossip (The Merchant of Venice)

    • Lonely (Coriolanus)

Phase 2: Why Is It Funny? (The Mechanics of Wit)

Term Definition Example
Pun A joke exploiting different meanings of a word or words that sound alike but have different meanings. "Now is the winter of our discontent / Made glorious summer by this son of York." (Richard III)
Hyperbole Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or humor. "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse."
Satire The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices. The Onion articles or Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream (mocking young lovers).
Limerick A humorous five-line poem with a strict AABBA rhyme scheme and specific rhythm. "There was an Old Man with a beard / Who said, 'It is just as I feared!'" (Edward Lear)

Phase 3: Shakespeare’s "Sassy" Sonnets (Sonnet 130)

  • Insulted Attribute: He mentions several: her eyes are not like the sun, coral is far more red than her lips, her breasts are "dun" (gray-brown) rather than white, and her hair is like "black wires."

  • The "Flip" (The Couplet): The final two lines are: "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare / As any she belied with false compare." He is saying that his love is more special precisely because he doesn't need to use fake, exaggerated lies to describe her beauty.

  • Why it’s Witty: It is a parody. At the time, poets were constantly using "Petrarchan" cliches (comparing women to goddesses and roses). Shakespeare finds humor in pointing out that his mistress is a real, breathing human being, which makes his love more "honest."

Phase 4: Creative Challenge (Examples)

  • Option A (Modern Insult):

    • Thy Wi-Fi is a "loggerheaded, flap-mouthed malt-worm,"

    • It spins and stalls throughout the storm.

    • I seek a signal, strong and true,

    • But find no "recreant" bars from you!

  • Option B (Literary Limerick):

    • There once was a Prince named Hamlet,

    • Whose life was a tragic gamut.

    • He saw his dad's ghost,

    • Gave a "To Be" toast,

    • And ended up stuck in a jam-let.