Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The Background and Significance of This Study-1

1.2 The Overall Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Introduction to Pun-3

2.2 Previous Study on Puns-3

Chapter Three Translation Skills of Puns in Romeo and Juliet-5

3.1 Introduction to Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet-5

3.2 Puns in Romeo and Juliet-6

3.3 Translation Skills of Pun-7

3.3.1 Adding Notes-7

3.3.2 Omitting-8

3.3.3 Transforming-9

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

References-12

Abstract

Shakespeare is one of the greatest poets that Britain has ever had, and his plays are a treasury of modern English. All his successful plays credited to his manipulation of figures of speech. Among the different kinds of figures of speech, Shakespeare tended to use puns. According to a conservative estimation, Shakespeare used nearly 3,000 puns in his works. The puns in Shakespeare’s plays are sometimes amusing, sometimes derisive, sometimes allegorical and sometimes exposed. These have been impressive, adding the finishing touch to reveal the characters. 

Taking the famous tragedy play Romeo and Juliet as an example, this thesis analyzes puns in literary works, pointing out different translation skills should be adopted for different puns, and hoping that it can help readers to learn more about puns and to have further appreciation of the artistic charm of dramatic language in Shakespeare’s works.

Keywords:  Shakespeare  pun  Romeo and Juliet  translation skills