Which conventions were common during Shakespeare's time?

During Shakespeare's time, asides and soliloquies were prevalent conventions in theatrical works. An aside is a brief remark made by a character that is intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters, providing insight into the character's thoughts or feelings. Soliloquies, on the other hand, are longer speeches where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, allowing the audience to understand their internal conflicts and motivations. These devices effectively deepen character development and advance the plot, making them valuable tools in Shakespearean drama.

Other conventions, like monologues and epilogues, while also present, do not have the same level of distinctiveness or impact as asides and soliloquies in the context of character introspection and audience engagement. Choral interludes, which involve a chorus commenting on the action, are not characteristic of Shakespeare's plays but were more common in earlier Greek theater. Lastly, while flashbacks and foreshadowing are important narrative techniques, they differ from the focus on individual character perspective and dialogue that asides and soliloquies provide, making the selected answer more appropriate in the context of Shakespeare's artistic style.