DramaFoundational
Aside
A brief speech to the audience unheard by other characters.
Principle
An aside creates selective knowledge in the theatre.
Takeaways
- It can generate comedy, complicity, irony, or suspense.
- It momentarily changes the audience's knowledge state.
- It depends on theatrical convention rather than realism.
Overview
An aside is a short address that other characters onstage do not hear. It lets drama create a private channel between character and audience.
Examples
- A servant mocks the master while standing beside him.
- A conspirator reveals the false meaning of a polite speech.