Aside

Definition

An aside is a theatrical device where a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing thoughts or feelings that are not intended for other characters on stage. This technique allows the audience to gain insight into a character's inner thoughts and motivations, creating a deeper connection to the narrative and enhancing dramatic tension.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asides are commonly used in classical texts to provide the audience with context and understanding of a character's intentions without the other characters being aware.
2. This device creates intimacy between the character and the audience, allowing viewers to feel included in the narrative.
3. Asides often serve to break the fourth wall, drawing attention to the performance and reminding the audience they are watching a play.
4. Shakespeare frequently employed asides in his plays, using them to add humor or to develop complex characters, particularly in works like 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth'.
5. The effectiveness of an aside relies heavily on delivery; timing and tone can greatly affect how the audience perceives the character's thoughts.

Review Questions

• How does the use of asides enhance a character's development in classical plays?
  • Asides provide a unique opportunity for characters to reveal their true thoughts and feelings directly to the audience. This technique allows for deeper character development by giving insight into their motivations and conflicts without other characters' knowledge. By understanding a character's inner struggles through asides, audiences can form a more nuanced view of their actions and decisions within the story.
• Discuss how asides can create dramatic irony in a play, especially in relation to other characters' knowledge.
  • Asides can effectively create dramatic irony by revealing information that other characters on stage are unaware of. When a character shares their true intentions or feelings through an aside, it contrasts with what they express to other characters. This discrepancy builds tension, as the audience knows something crucial that other characters do not, leading to heightened emotional engagement and anticipation for how situations will unfold.
• Evaluate the impact of asides on the overall narrative structure of a classical text, considering their role in plot progression and audience engagement.
  • Asides significantly impact narrative structure by providing crucial exposition and insights that propel plot progression. They serve not only to inform the audience but also to enhance dramatic tension by foreshadowing events or revealing conflicts. By engaging the audience directly, asides create a shared experience between viewers and performers, fostering investment in the story while maintaining a dynamic flow that keeps the audience intrigued about future developments.

Related terms

monologue: A long speech by a single character that expresses their thoughts aloud, typically directed toward other characters or the audience.

soliloquy: A form of monologue where a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone on stage, giving insight into their internal struggles.

dramatic irony: A situation in a play where the audience knows more about the events or characters than the characters themselves, often heightening tension.