- To establish a connection with the audience and draw them into the play
- To provide information or background about the play
- To comment on the action of the play or the characters in it
- To create a sense of intimacy between the characters and the audience
- To heighten the emotional impact of a scene
- To break the fourth wall and involve the audience in a more active way
Direct address can be used in a variety of ways, from a simple aside to a full-blown monologue. The actor's delivery and the way in which the direct address is used within the context of the play can have a significant impact on the overall effect of the scene.
Some playwrights who have made extensive use of direct address include William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen, and Bertolt Brecht. In recent years, direct address has also become more common in contemporary drama and film.