Question

puns were used by shakespeare to
o explain historical background to the audience.
o add humor or hidden meanings to a scene.
o create a tone of confusion in his plays.
o encourage audiences to listen more carefully.

Explanation:

Puns are a literary device. In Shakespeare's works, they are often employed to add an extra layer. Humor can be created through the play on words. Hidden meanings can also be inserted as the same - sounding words can have different connotations. This is a common use of puns in literature.

Answer:

add humor or hidden meanings to a scene.