Introduction

An aside is a literary device in which a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing thoughts or comments that other characters on stage are not supposed to hear. It is commonly used in plays, but can also be found in literature and other forms of media. This technique allows the audience to gain insight into a character’s true feelings and intentions.

Pronunciation

əˈsaɪd

How Writers Use Aside ✍️

Writers use asides to provide the audience with a deeper understanding of a character’s thoughts, motivations, and personality. It can create dramatic irony, build suspense, and add a layer of intimacy between the character and the audience.

Type	Description	Example
Direct Aside	The character speaks directly to the audience, revealing inner thoughts or commentary.	“To be or not to be, that is the question.” – Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Indirect Aside	The character speaks under their breath or to themselves, meant to be heard by the audience.	“I must be cruel only to be kind.” – Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Aside to Another Character	One character speaks to another character quietly, meant to be heard by the audience but not by others.	“A little more than kin, and less than kind.” – Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Aside Rules 📜

To effectively use asides, writers should consider the following guidelines:

Rule	Description
Clarity	Ensure the aside is clear and distinguishable from the main dialogue.
Relevance	Make sure the aside is relevant to the plot or character development.
Brevity	Keep the aside brief to maintain the flow of the narrative.
Engagement	Use the aside to engage the audience and provide insight or humor.
Consistency	Maintain a consistent style for asides throughout the work to avoid confusing the audience.

Examples of Aside in Various Media

Aside in Literature 📖

Asides add depth and engagement to literary works, making the language more thought-provoking. Here are some notable examples:

Work	Author	Example
“Hamlet”	William Shakespeare	“A little more than kin, and less than kind.”
“Macbeth”	William Shakespeare	“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir.”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”	William Shakespeare	“Yet but three come one more. Two of both kinds makes up four.”

Aside in Children’s Books 📚

Children’s books use asides to create engaging and thoughtful language. Here are a few examples:

Book	Author	Example
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”	Lewis Carroll	“Curiouser and curiouser!”
“Charlotte’s Web”	E.B. White	“But I’m not a killer. I’m a friendly pig.”
“The Tale of Peter Rabbit”	Beatrix Potter	“But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor’s garden.”

Aside in Poetry 📝

Poetry uses asides to create unique expressions and provoke thought. Here are some famous examples:

Poem	Author	Example
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”	T.S. Eliot	“In the room the women come and go, talking of Michelangelo.”
“To His Coy Mistress”	Andrew Marvell	“Thus, though we cannot make our sun stand still, yet we will make him run.”
“My Last Duchess”	Robert Browning	“She had a heart—how shall I say?—too soon made glad.”

Aside in Songs 🎵

Songs often use asides to create memorable lyrics and emphasize key themes. Here are a few examples:

Song	Artist	Example
“Hey Jude”	The Beatles	“Remember to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better.”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”	Queen	“I’m just a poor boy, nobody loves me.”
“Rolling in the Deep”	Adele	“We could have had it all, rolling in the deep.”

Aside in Movies 🎬

Movies use asides in dialogue and scenes to create memorable and impactful moments. Here are some examples:

Movie	Director	Example
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”	John Hughes	“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
“House of Cards”	Beau Willimon	Frank Underwood’s direct addresses to the audience to reveal his thoughts and plans.
“Deadpool”	Tim Miller	Deadpool’s frequent asides to the audience to break the fourth wall and provide commentary.

Watch the iconic scene from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

Aside in Advertising 📢

Advertising uses asides to create catchy and memorable campaigns that engage the audience. Here are some examples:

Ad	Brand	Example
Old Spice – “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”	Old Spice	The spokesperson’s direct address to the audience, creating a humorous and engaging tone.
GEICO – “Hump Day”	GEICO	The camel’s aside to the audience, asking, “Guess what day it is?”
Direct Line – “Fixer”	Direct Line	Harvey Keitel’s character, Winston Wolf, directly addressing the audience about insurance services.

Watch the memorable Old Spice ad

FAQs about Aside ❓

What is the primary purpose of an aside?

An aside is used to reveal a character’s inner thoughts or commentary directly to the audience, providing deeper insight into their motivations and feelings.

Can asides be overused?

Yes, overusing asides can disrupt the narrative flow and become distracting. It’s important to use them sparingly and purposefully.

How does an aside differ from a soliloquy?

An aside is a brief comment directed to the audience, often in the presence of other characters, while a soliloquy is a longer speech where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, usually alone on stage.

Related Devices 🔍

Soliloquy: A longer speech where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, usually alone on stage.

Monologue: An extended speech by a character, directed to other characters or the audience.

Breaking the Fourth Wall: When a character directly addresses the audience, acknowledging the fictional nature of the work.