Literary Term - Double Entendre

 

Literary Term

Double Entendre 

A double entendre is a figure of speech or a phrase that has two meanings, typically one of which is risqué, suggestive, or indecent in some way, while the other meaning is usually more innocent or straightforward. The term originates from French, meaning "double meaning," and it often relies on wordplay or ambiguity to convey both meanings simultaneously or with a subtle shift in context.

 

Examples from Literature

 

Shakespeare's Plays:

Shakespeare frequently employed double entendres in his comedies and dramas. In "Much Ado About Nothing," for example, there are several instances where characters use language that can be interpreted in both a literal and a suggestive manner. One famous example is from Act 5, Scene 2, where Beatrice and Benedick engage in a playful exchange:

Beatrice: "I would rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me."

Benedick: "God keep your ladyship still in that mind! So some gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face."

 

John Donne's Poetry:

Donne, known for his metaphysical poetry, often used intricate wordplay and double entendres to explore themes of love, desire, and spirituality. In his poem "The Flea," he employs a double entendre to compare a flea's bite to physical intimacy, blurring the lines between literal and metaphorical meanings.

 

Oscar Wilde's Plays:

Wilde's comedies, such as "The Importance of Being Earnest," are renowned for their wit and use of double entendres to satirize societal conventions and manners. One example is when Algernon remarks, "I hope, Cecily, I shall not offend you if I state quite frankly and openly that you seem to me to be in every way the visible personification of absolute perfection."

 

Function of Double Entendre in Literature

 

Humor and Wit:

Double entendres often inject humor and wit into literary works by playing on the ambiguity of language. They can lighten the tone of a scene or play and engage readers through clever wordplay.

 

Subtlety and Nuance:

They add layers of subtlety and nuance to character interactions and dialogue, allowing authors to convey deeper meanings or subtext without overtly stating them.

 

Social Commentary and Critique:

Double entendres can be used to critique social norms, conventions, or taboos by exposing contradictions or hypocrisies through suggestive language.

 

Exploration of Themes:

They provide a vehicle for exploring themes related to desire, sexuality, identity, power dynamics, and human relationships in a nuanced and provocative manner.

 

Engagement and Interpretation:

They encourage readers to engage actively with the text by deciphering multiple layers of meaning and interpreting the intentions behind characters' words and actions.

 

Double entendres, therefore, serve as a versatile literary device that enhances the richness and complexity of literature, allowing writers to convey multiple levels of meaning while engaging readers through wit, humor, and provocative language.