What is an interlude?

An interlude is a short, intervening episode in a play, film, opera, or other literary work. It can also be a separate piece of instrumental music performed between other musical pieces or the acts of a drama.

• Purpose: Often, an Interlude serves to provide a break, shift the scene, offer commentary, or develop a subplot. It can create a change in mood, pace, or tone.
• Placement: Interludes typically appear between larger sections of a work. In theater, they might occur between acts. In music, they can connect movements of a symphony.
• Content: The content of an interlude can vary widely. It might be a scene depicting the aftermath of a major event, a musical piece that sets a particular atmosphere, or a monologue offering insight into a character's thoughts.
• Function: Besides providing a pause, an Interlude's%20Function can be to advance the narrative indirectly, offer a reflection on themes presented in the main plot, or simply provide entertainment.
• Examples: Famous interludes appear in Shakespearean plays (like the play-within-a-play in Hamlet), operas by Wagner, and even in modern films as short scenes that offer context or humor.