Read the pun, keeping in mind that a jest is a joke and a pump is a shoe.
Mercutio: Well said; follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out the pump, that, when the single sole of it is worn, the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular.
Romeo: O single-soled jest! solely singular for the singleness.
—Romeo and Juliet,
William Shakespeare
Which words are used as puns in these lines?
What effect do the puns have on the passage?
The puns in these lines are "jest" and "sole/singular."
The puns add a playful and humorous tone to the passage. They also create a sense of wordplay and cleverness in the characters' dialogue. Additionally, the puns serve to highlight the light-hearted banter between Mercutio and Romeo, showcasing their wit and humor.