What Are Examples of Asides in “Romeo and Juliet”?
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Romeo speaks an aside in Act II, Scene ii of “Romeo and Juliet” when he is standing beneath the balcony where Juliet is speaking, unaware that anyone hears her. Juliet is professing her love for Romeo, and he says “Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?”
An aside is a literary term for words spoken aloud by one of the characters in a play to the audience. None of the other characters hear the words. In this example, Romeo has heard Juliet speak her private thoughts. He lets the audience know by his aside that he is torn about whether he should reply, thereby revealing his presence, or stay and hear more.
