Aside

Definition

An aside is a theatrical device where a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing thoughts or intentions while other characters on stage are unaware of this communication. This technique serves to create dramatic irony and deepen audience engagement, allowing them insight into a character’s motivations or secrets without the other characters hearing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asides became prominent in Elizabethan theatre, with playwrights like Christopher Marlowe and Shakespeare utilizing them to enhance character development.
2. An aside allows for moments of humor or tension, as the audience is privy to a character's true feelings while other characters remain oblivious.
3. Marlowe's works often featured asides that contributed to complex character portrayals and plot developments, showcasing his innovative approach to drama.
4. Unlike soliloquies, which involve a longer discourse of thought, asides are usually brief, often one-liners or short statements that punctuate a scene.
5. In Elizabethan playhouses, the use of asides was particularly effective in drawing audiences into the emotional landscape of the characters, making them feel more involved in the narrative.

Review Questions

• How does the use of asides in Elizabethan theatre enhance the audience's understanding of character motivations?
  • Asides provide direct insight into a character's thoughts and emotions that other characters do not perceive. This creates a layer of dramatic irony where the audience becomes privy to secrets or intentions, deepening their engagement with the narrative. By revealing these inner workings through asides, playwrights enable viewers to form connections with characters and anticipate future actions based on their unspoken thoughts.
• In what ways did Christopher Marlowe's use of asides differ from or contribute to the techniques employed by his contemporaries?
  • Christopher Marlowe utilized asides to create tension and complexity within his characters, often using them to reveal internal conflicts or ambitious desires. While contemporaries like Shakespeare also used asides effectively, Marlowe’s approach was marked by a focus on heightened emotional stakes and moral ambiguity. This allowed for richer character development and made his plays particularly engaging and thought-provoking for audiences.
• Evaluate the impact of asides on the overall structure and emotional resonance of Elizabethan plays.
  • Asides play a critical role in shaping both the structure and emotional impact of Elizabethan plays by allowing characters to break from the narrative flow and engage directly with the audience. This technique creates a more intimate atmosphere where viewers can experience firsthand the conflict between appearance and reality. The emotional resonance is heightened as audiences witness characters navigating their hidden truths while balancing social facades, resulting in a deeper connection to themes of ambition, betrayal, and love throughout these dramatic works.

Related terms

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

Dramatic Irony: Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters in the play, often leading to tension and engagement.

Fourth Wall: The fourth wall is an imaginary barrier between the audience and the performers, typically maintained in traditional theatre but often broken through devices like asides.