Shakespeare’s plays are celebrated for their poetic beauty and profound themes, but they’re also packed with cheeky wordplay and risqué jokes. The Bard knew how to entertain the groundlings (the rowdy, working-class audience members) as much as the nobility. Here’s a guide to some of his most infamous double entendres - many of which still fly under the radar today.
1. “Nothing” in Much Ado About Nothing
The title itself is a pun. In Elizabethan slang, “nothing” was a euphemism for the female anatomy. So when Benedick and Beatrice bicker about “nothing,” there’s more than meets the ear.
Nothing
/ˈnʌθɪŋ/“Vagina”
2. Mercutio’s Raunchy Banter in Romeo and Juliet
Mercutio, Romeo’s quick-witted friend, is a goldmine of innuendo. When he teases Romeo about Rosaline, he quips:
The “poperin pear” was slang for the male anatomy, and “open-arse” referred to a medlar fruit - a fruit that was eaten when rotten, symbolising promiscuity. Subtle, right?
3. Hamlet’s Dirty Mind
Even the brooding Prince of Denmark couldn’t resist a saucy jab. In Act 3, Scene 2, Hamlet tells Ophelia:
The word “country” was pronounced to sound like “cunt,” making this a crude pun. Hamlet’s pretending innocence, but the audience would’ve caught the joke.
4. The Taming of the Shrew’s Double Entendres
Petruchio’s bawdy humour is relentless. When he says:
The word “wasp” was slang for a promiscuous woman. Petruchio isn’t just calling Katherine feisty - he’s implying much more.
5. Bottom’s Accidental Innuendo in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When Bottom declares, "This is to make an ass of me," after being transformed into a donkey, the pun is obvious. But earlier, he also boasts:
“Sucking dove” was slang for oral sex. Bottom’s obliviousness makes it even funnier.
Why Did Shakespeare Do This?
Theatre in Shakespeare’s time was for everyone - from the educated elite to the rowdy masses. Dirty jokes ensured laughs across all social classes. Plus, censorship was strict, so clever wordplay let him sneak in risqué content under the radar.
For more on historical humour, check out our guide on How to Swear Politely in Bulgarian or 12 Shakespearean Ways to Say Goodbye.
