ASIDE

ASIDE,in the Drama.—An Aside, Secorsim, is something which an Actor speaks apart, or, as it were, to himself, for the Instruction of the Audience, by discovering some Sentiment which otherwise did not appear, and which is to be concealed from the rest of the Actors then present. The severer Critics condemn all Asides; and with some Reason; as they are a manifest Breach of Probability.—Accordingly, they are never to be used but at a Pinch, which a good Author will scarcely suffer himself to be brought to. See PLAYS, TRAGEDY, Comedy; see also SOLILOQUY.