Asides

Definition

Asides are brief comments or statements made by a character in a play that are intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters on stage. This technique is commonly used to convey a character's thoughts, emotions, or intentions, allowing the audience to gain insight into their internal struggles or motivations. Asides play a crucial role in enhancing the drama and comedic elements of 19th-century theater, often creating a deeper connection between the audience and the characters.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asides were frequently used in 19th-century theater to provide comedic relief or highlight character motivations.
2. This technique allows the audience to feel like they are 'in on the joke' or aware of secrets that other characters are not.
3. The use of asides can create tension in dramatic moments, as audiences understand the stakes better than the characters do.
4. In 19th-century theater, asides became an essential part of character development, giving audiences deeper insights into protagonists and antagonists.
5. Notable playwrights of the time, such as Oscar Wilde and Henrik Ibsen, skillfully employed asides to enhance their storytelling.

Review Questions

• How do asides contribute to character development in 19th-century theater?
  • Asides play a significant role in character development by allowing characters to express their true thoughts and feelings directly to the audience. This technique helps reveal hidden motivations and internal conflicts that may not be evident through dialogue with other characters. By understanding these personal insights, audiences can form a deeper connection with the characters and better appreciate their complexities.
• Discuss the impact of asides on the audience's experience of dramatic irony in plays from the 19th century.
  • Asides enhance the experience of dramatic irony by providing audiences with information that characters are unaware of. This creates an emotional engagement where viewers might feel anxious or amused as they watch characters make decisions based on incomplete knowledge. The tension between what the audience knows and what the characters do not often leads to increased investment in the plot and character outcomes.
• Evaluate how notable playwrights from the 19th century used asides to reflect social themes and critiques within their works.
  • Playwrights like Oscar Wilde and Henrik Ibsen effectively used asides not just for humor or character insight but also as tools for social commentary. Through these brief remarks, they could critique societal norms, expose hypocrisy, and challenge prevailing attitudes of their time. The ability to speak directly to the audience allowed them to make poignant observations about class, gender roles, and moral dilemmas while engaging viewers in deeper reflection on the issues presented.

Related terms

Monologue: A long speech by a single character in a play, often revealing their thoughts and feelings to the audience.

Soliloquy: A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, expressing their innermost thoughts, often reflecting on their personal dilemmas.

Dramatic Irony:

A literary device where the audience knows more about a situation than the characters, creating tension or humor.