In drama, what is an "aside"?

An "aside" is a theatrical convention where a character makes a remark that is intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters on stage. This device allows the character to express their thoughts or feelings directly to the audience, providing insight into their motivations and adding depth to the narrative. It creates an intimate connection with the audience, offering a glimpse into the character's inner workings that the other characters are unaware of. This technique is commonly used to share a character’s true intentions or to add humor and irony, enhancing the overall experience of the play.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of an aside: thoughts that are heard by everyone diminish the secretive nature of the aside, an interruption of the main dialogue describes a different dramatic device, and a plot twist pertains to narrative surprise rather than direct audience engagement.