"union"
Wordplay
Act 5,
Scene 2
Lines 264-269a
Laertes
Hamlet
[He stabs Claudius.]
All
Claudius
Hamlet
“Union” was a word for a large, precious pearl. But Hamlet could be making a pun, using “union” to refer to Claudius’ marriage union. In that sense, Hamlet is reminding Claudius about Gertrude’s death, and suggesting that he follow suit.