Aside

Definition

An aside is a dramatic device used in theater where a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing their thoughts or feelings while other characters on stage remain unaware. This technique creates a deeper connection between the character and the audience, allowing for insight into motivations and intentions that may not be clear through dialogue alone.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asides were commonly used by playwrights during the Renaissance period to enhance character development and engage audiences.
2. This device allows for dramatic irony, as the audience knows information that other characters do not.
3. Asides are often brief, making them impactful moments that can add humor, tension, or poignancy to a scene.
4. In many Renaissance plays, asides serve to reveal plots or schemes that a character is planning without alerting other characters on stage.
5. Shakespeare frequently employed asides in his works, such as in 'Hamlet' and 'Romeo and Juliet', showcasing the technique's effectiveness in drawing audiences into the narrative.

Review Questions

• How does the use of asides enhance character development in Renaissance theater?
  • Asides enhance character development by allowing characters to express their inner thoughts and motivations directly to the audience. This technique creates a more intimate connection between the character and the viewers, revealing aspects of the character's personality that may not be conveyed through normal dialogue. By sharing secrets or insights through asides, characters become more relatable and multi-dimensional, enriching the overall storytelling experience.
• Discuss how dramatic irony is created through the use of asides in Renaissance plays.
  • Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that characters on stage do not. Asides play a crucial role in this dynamic by allowing characters to reveal their true intentions or thoughts directly to the audience while remaining oblivious to others present. This technique heightens tension and engagement, as audiences anticipate how the unaware characters will respond to unfolding events, deepening their investment in the story.
• Evaluate the impact of Shakespeare’s use of asides on modern theater practices and audience engagement.
  • Shakespeare's use of asides has had a lasting impact on modern theater by establishing a way for characters to directly communicate with audiences. This technique enhances engagement by breaking the fourth wall, allowing contemporary playwrights to experiment with similar devices in innovative ways. The effectiveness of asides continues to resonate with audiences today, creating moments of connection and reflection that deepen emotional responses and understanding of character arcs within various forms of performance.

Related terms

Monologue: A long speech by one character in a play, often expressing their inner thoughts and emotions to the audience.

Soliloquy: A type of monologue where a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone on stage, giving insight into their inner conflict or motivations.

Fourth Wall: The imaginary barrier between the audience and the actors in a performance, which asides help to break by addressing the audience directly.