What does the stage direction "aside" indicate in a play?

In a play, the stage direction "aside" indicates that a character is speaking directly to the audience or to another character, but the speech is not intended to be heard by the other characters on stage. Instead, it provides insight into the character's thoughts, feelings, or intentions, often revealing information that the other characters are not meant to know.

When a character delivers lines "aside," it's as if they are momentarily stepping out of the action to share private thoughts or commentary with the audience. This theatrical device is a way to provide additional information, create dramatic irony, or share a character's inner thoughts without affecting the ongoing interactions between characters.

The use of "aside" allows for a layer of complexity in storytelling, as the audience gains insight that the characters within the play may not have. It can add humor, tension, or depth to a scene, depending on the context and content of the aside.