Asides

Definition

Asides are dramatic devices in which a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing thoughts or feelings that are not intended to be heard by other characters on stage. This technique allows playwrights to provide deeper insight into a character’s motivations and intentions, enhancing the audience's understanding of the narrative. In the context of Roman comedy, particularly in the works of Plautus, asides serve to create humor and engage the audience more directly in the unfolding story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asides became a prominent feature in Roman comedies, particularly in the works of Plautus, to convey comedic elements and engage the audience.
2. Plautus used asides to allow characters to comment on the action, providing insight and commentary that often heightened the comedic effect.
3. Unlike monologues or soliloquies, asides are typically brief and serve a specific purpose, usually to share a secret or humorous thought with the audience.
4. Asides create a sense of intimacy between the character and the audience, allowing viewers to feel complicit in the character's plans or schemes.
5. In Roman theatre, asides contributed to breaking the fourth wall, encouraging audience participation and reaction to the events on stage.

Review Questions

• How do asides enhance the comedic elements found in Roman comedies like those written by Plautus?
  • Asides enhance comedy in Roman plays by allowing characters to share humorous thoughts or secrets directly with the audience. This technique not only creates laughter through witty remarks but also builds anticipation as viewers become privy to information unknown to other characters. By incorporating asides, Plautus effectively engages the audience in the comedic scenarios unfolding on stage, making them feel like active participants in the humor.
• Compare and contrast asides with soliloquies in terms of purpose and effect within Roman theatre.
  • While both asides and soliloquies allow characters to express their thoughts, they serve different purposes. Asides are brief comments meant for the audience's ears only, creating immediate humor and interaction. In contrast, soliloquies are longer speeches where characters reflect on their inner conflicts or situations when alone on stage. This means soliloquies provide deeper emotional context while asides focus on comedic timing and audience engagement.
• Evaluate the significance of asides in shaping audience perception of characters within Plautus's works and their impact on Roman comedy overall.
  • Asides play a critical role in shaping how audiences perceive characters in Plautus's comedies by revealing their true thoughts and intentions, which may differ from their actions or spoken lines. This device not only adds layers to character development but also allows for commentary on social norms and human behavior during that time. The use of asides ultimately enriched Roman comedy by fostering a deeper connection between characters and spectators, making plays more relatable and entertaining while reflecting cultural attitudes of the era.

Related terms

Monologue: A long speech by a single character that expresses their thoughts or feelings, typically without interruption from others.

Soliloquy: A form of monologue where a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone on stage, allowing the audience to access their inner dialogue.

Dramatic Irony: A situation where the audience knows more about a character's situation than the character does, often creating tension or humor.