Final answer:
An aside is a brief speech in a play spoken by a character in the presence of others but meant only for the audience to hear, offering insight into the character's thoughts or commentary on the action.
Step-by-step explanation:
Brief Speeches in Drama
The type of brief speech in a play that is intended to be heard only by the audience, not by the other characters on stage, is known as an aside. In stark contrast to a soliloquy, which is a speech delivered by a character who is alone on stage, an aside is typically shorter and is used to let the audience know what a character is thinking or to provide commentary on the action. The differences between these dramatic terms can be elucidated by looking at their root words. For example, monologue derives from Greek roots 'monos' (single) and 'legein' (to speak), which indicates a speech given by one person. On the other hand, 'soliloquy' comes from the Latin 'solus' (alone) and 'loqui' (to speak), underscoring the solitude of the speaker during the speech.
Compared to a monologue or a dialogue (conversation between two or more characters), which both may contain speeches directed at or intended to be heard by other characters, the function of an aside is distinctly different, aiming to create a confidential relationship between the character and the audience.