Aside

Definition

An aside is a dramatic technique in which a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing thoughts or feelings that are not heard by other characters on stage. This technique provides insight into the character's motivations and can enhance the audience's understanding of the plot and dynamics between characters.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asides are often used to create a connection between the character and the audience, making them feel more involved in the story.
2. In Shakespeare's plays, asides can serve to convey humor, tension, or critical information without interrupting the flow of dialogue among other characters.
3. Characters may use asides to express their true feelings about other characters, revealing hidden agendas or conflicts.
4. Asides contribute to the development of dramatic irony, as audiences gain insight into a character's intentions that others on stage may not be aware of.
5. Shakespeare's use of asides is particularly effective in plays like 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth,' where characters grapple with internal conflicts and moral dilemmas.

Review Questions

• How do asides enhance character development in Shakespeare's plays?
  • Asides allow characters to reveal their inner thoughts and emotions directly to the audience, which helps deepen their characterization. This technique provides insight into their motivations, desires, and conflicts that might not be expressed through dialogue with other characters. By sharing these personal reflections, Shakespeare makes the audience feel more connected to the characters and heightens emotional engagement.
• In what ways do asides contribute to the use of dramatic irony within a scene?
  • Asides create opportunities for dramatic irony by letting the audience in on secrets or thoughts that other characters remain oblivious to. When a character shares an aside, it can reveal intentions that contrast with their outward behavior, leading to moments of tension as audiences anticipate how these revelations will affect interactions on stage. This technique keeps viewers engaged as they watch the unfolding drama with greater understanding than the characters involved.
• Evaluate the impact of asides on the overall narrative structure of a Shakespearean play.
  • Asides significantly shape the narrative structure by providing critical insights that drive the plot forward. They allow Shakespeare to weave complex layers of meaning and emotional depth into his storytelling. By using asides strategically, he can foreshadow events, highlight conflicts, or inject humor, all of which enhance the richness of the narrative. This technique ultimately serves to engage the audience more deeply, inviting them to become active participants in unraveling the story's complexities.

Related terms

soliloquy: A soliloquy is a speech delivered by a character alone on stage, expressing their inner thoughts and feelings to the audience.

monologue: A monologue is a long speech by a single character that is directed at other characters or the audience, often revealing important information or emotions.

dramatic irony: Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do, creating tension and engagement in the narrative.