A pun directly plays with the sounds and meanings of words to create new and surprising sentences. The most common of word play examples is the pun. (It is also an example of synchysis, and of polyptoton, a type of repetition device.) This play on the meaning of “eat” utilizes the verb’s multiple definitions-to consume versus to decompose. He is not eating, but being consumed by the worms. The line “Not where he eats, but where he is eaten” is a play on words, drawing the audience’s attention to Polonius’ death. Variable service, two dishes, but to one table:
Maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but Worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat allĬreatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for Not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certainĬonvocation of politic worms are e’en at him.
