Asides

Definition

Asides are brief remarks made by a character in a play that are intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters on stage. They serve as a way for characters to express their true thoughts or feelings, often providing insight into their motivations and the underlying themes of the narrative. In the context of morality plays, asides can enhance the allegorical elements and didactic messages by allowing characters to directly communicate moral lessons or reflect on their choices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asides allow characters to break the fourth wall and connect directly with the audience, enhancing engagement with the moral message.
2. In morality plays, asides often highlight a character's internal conflict, illustrating the struggle between good and evil.
3. They can serve as a dramatic device to foreshadow events or reveal hidden truths about other characters.
4. Asides contribute to the didactic nature of morality plays by reinforcing lessons about virtue and vice through direct character commentary.
5. Characters often use asides to express doubts or guilt, helping the audience to empathize with their moral dilemmas.

Review Questions

• How do asides function to enhance character development in morality plays?
  • Asides play a crucial role in character development by revealing a character's innermost thoughts and feelings that they may not express openly to others. This technique allows audiences to gain insight into the character's motivations and moral struggles. In morality plays, these remarks can illustrate the tension between virtue and vice, making characters more relatable and complex as they grapple with their choices.
• Discuss how asides contribute to the allegorical elements of morality plays.
  • Asides enhance the allegorical elements of morality plays by allowing characters to explicitly convey moral lessons or reflect on their ethical decisions. Through these brief remarks, characters can articulate the consequences of their actions and the virtues they should strive for, thereby deepening the audience's understanding of the underlying themes. This direct communication reinforces the play's messages and encourages viewers to contemplate their own moral choices.
• Evaluate the impact of asides on the overall didactic purpose of morality plays in relation to audience engagement.
  • Asides significantly impact the didactic purpose of morality plays by fostering a connection between characters and the audience. This technique not only allows characters to share insights and moral reflections but also invites viewers to engage more deeply with the narrative. By breaking the fourth wall, asides create a space for audience reflection on moral themes, ultimately enhancing the educational value of these plays and prompting discussions about ethics in real-life situations.

Related terms

Allegory: A narrative technique in which characters, events, and details symbolize larger concepts, often moral, political, or social ideas.

Didacticism: The philosophy or approach in literature that aims to instruct or educate the audience, often through moral lessons or ethical dilemmas.

Monologue: A lengthy speech by a single character that expresses their thoughts and feelings aloud, often revealing more about their inner struggles.