What literary device is employed when characters in a play speak directly to the audience?

The term for when characters in a play speak directly to the audience is referred to as an "aside." This literary device allows characters to express thoughts, feelings, or commentary that other characters on stage cannot hear, creating a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the audience. Asides often serve to provide insight into a character's motivations or to share important context about the action of the play, enriching the audience's understanding of the overarching narrative.

In contrast, a monologue involves a longer speech by a character that is directed towards other characters or the audience, but it typically does not convey the same direct connection. A soliloquy is a specific type of monologue where a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone on stage, revealing inner conflicts or emotions but not necessarily addressing the audience directly. The term "apart" is not commonly recognized as a distinct literary device related to character speech in drama. Thus, "aside" is the most fitting term for the direct communication between characters and the audience.