Final answer:
An Interlude is a short play or performance inserted between the main acts of a larger production, offering entertainment or thematic embellishment separate from the central plot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Interlude in the context of dramatic form refers to a short play or performance that takes place between the primary acts of a larger stage production. These mere interludes often provided a break in the main action and served various purposes, such as entertainment, commentary, or thematic embellishment. The practice of incorporating interludes can be traced back historically to playwrights such as Agathon, and has evolved over time. They are distinct from the more structural aspects of a play, such as the Prologue, Episode, Exode, and various Choric parts, but they contribute to the overall theatrical experience.
In terms of literary structure, interludes might be compared to what is known in epic poetry as episodes—parts that, while they may borrow elements from the broader narrative, are self-contained and accented with their own beginning, middle, and end. This delineation adds depth to the storytelling, much like the varied incidents provided within an epic. Unlike larger acts of a play which are driven by central plot points, interludes may not be directly tied to the main story but instead offer a distinct, often lighter, thematic touch.
In conclusion, an Interlude serves as a creative tool within a play, breaking up the main action while offering a unique contribution to the overall narrative and experience of the theatrical production.