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English Literature / Unit 2   ENL 0110 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Ambiguity and the Pun

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The idea

Ambiguity is language that can be understood in more than one way, and in poetry it is often deliberate, letting two meanings stand together. A pun exploits the several meanings of a word, or of similar-sounding words, for humour or for serious effect.

In practice

Two meanings, held on purpose.

Where people slip

A pun can be grave as well as comic.

Your place on the trail

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