What is an 'aside' primarily used for in a play?

An 'aside' is a theatrical device primarily used to share a character's thoughts or feelings directly with the audience while other characters on stage are unaware. This technique allows the audience to gain insight into a character's internal motivations or personal reflections, creating a deeper connection with the character and enhancing the dramatic impact of the scene. The audience is privy to information that other characters are not, which can lead to increased tension and engagement as they watch how the revealed thoughts might influence the unfolding action.

While asides can certainly engage the audience or provide humor, those aspects are secondary to their fundamental purpose of revealing a character's private thoughts. Hints at future plot developments may occur in an aside, but the primary function remains focused on the character's inner dialogue. Thus, sharing thoughts without others hearing is the defining feature of an aside in dramatic literature.