2.4. Asides

Asides are brief comments or observations made by a character, usually directly to the audience or occasionally to another character, which are understood to be unheard by other characters present on stage.

An aside is a short line spoken by a character that is intended for the audience or another character, but not meant to be heard by the others on stage. This technique allows the audience to gain insight into a character's true thoughts or feelings that are not expressed openly in the presence of other characters. Asides create a feeling of intimacy between the character and the audience, as it feels like the character is sharing a secret.

Imagine you’re watching a movie, and during a tense moment, a character turns to the camera and whispers their real opinion about a situation, even though the other characters cannot hear them. This technique draws the audience in, making them feel like they are in on a secret, just like in an aside in a play.

These short remarks can be used for ironic commentary, to express true feelings that contradict outward behaviour, to provide essential background information quickly, or for comedic effect, often creating a complicit relationship with the audience.

Asides serve multiple purposes in a play. They might offer ironic comments that make fun of a situation or a character, reveal a character's true feelings that differ from their spoken words, give quick background information necessary for understanding the context, or add humor to the scene. This adds layers to the character and the narrative, enriching the audience's experience and understanding. By doing this, asides help form a bond between the character and the audience.

Think of a sitcom where a character regularly turns to the camera to make a sarcastic remark about the events happening around them. This not only provides comedic relief but also helps the audience understand the character's perspective, making them feel closer to that character.

Dramatic irony is a powerful theatrical device where the audience possesses knowledge about a situation, character, or event that one or more characters in the play do not. This disparity in knowledge creates a layer of tension, suspense, or even tragic inevitability.

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not. Asides can amplify this effect, as they often let the audience in on a character's true intentions or feelings, which may conflict with what another character believes. This discrepancy between the audience's knowledge and the characters' understanding builds tension and suspense, making the viewing experience more engaging and poignant.

Consider a story where a protagonist is about to reveal a surprise party for a friend, but the friend is unknowingly planning a getaway on the same day. If the protagonist shares an aside about their excitement with the audience, while the friend is oblivious, this creates a sense of dramatic irony. The audience feels a mix of anticipation and concern, knowing something that neither character does.

This shared secret between the playwright, audience, and sometimes a few characters, intensifies the emotional impact of the unfolding events.

The use of asides helps to create an engaging dynamic between the audience and the characters. When a character shares an aside, it creates a sense of complicity, making the audience feel like active participants in the storytelling. This can amplify the emotions experienced throughout the performance, as the audience may feel sympathy, excitement, or tension based on their unique position of knowledge.

Think of how a book club feels when discussing a novel where the narrator shares their thoughts. Club members have a shared understanding of the character’s motivations that the characters in the story do not see. This creates a stronger emotional connection to the story and its themes, much like how asides can bond the audience to a play.

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