Vocative Case
When somebody is being spoken to directly, his/her name must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma (or commas).
(Names that are being addressed directly are said to be in the 'vocative case'.)
Examples:
 I'll see you
next Tuesday, Alan. 
(Alan is being addressed. His name must be separated from the rest of the
sentence with a comma. The word "Alan" is said to be in the vocative case.)
('Vocative' stems from the word 'vocal'.)
…and that, your Honour, is the case for the
Prosecution.
(The judge is being addressed as "your Honour". These words are in the
vocative case and must be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas.)
Lee, you would know all about that wouldn't you, you little adventurer?
("Lee" is being addressed by his name and as "you little adventurer". Both
"Lee" and "you little adventurer" are in the vocative case.)
...and that was the end of the monster Dick.
("Dick" should be preceded by a comma as "Dick" is being
addressed.)
someone
being addressed as 'peasant' - comma is correct
(magazine clipping)
Anything Can Be in the Vocative Case
Animals, even inanimate objects, can be addressed directly. They should
also be separated from the rest of the sentence to show they are in the vocative
case.
Examples:
Ollie,
fetch the stick like a good dog.
("Ollie" is being addressed - comma used)
You are my
favourite car, you little beauty.
(car being addressed directly as "you little beauty" - comma used)
To lose one parent, Mr
Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.
(Oscar Wilde)
("Mr Worthing" being addressed directly - commas used)
Dammit, sir, it is your duty to get married. You can't be always living for pleasure.
(Oscar Wilde)
(Someone being addressed directly as "sir" - commas used)
Literally, this sign is telling cows to keep their dogs under control
(sign on gate to field)
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COULD BE IMPORTANT
The examples below show why it is important to understand the vocative case. Whilst both are correct, they have very different meanings.
Tell us about that fruitcake.
(In this example, the interviewer would like to know about a specific fruitcake.)
Tell us about that, fruitcake.
(In this example, the interviewer is addressing the interviewee as "fruitcake".)
President Clinton may have used the vocative case very cleverly in his claim:
...I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss
Lewinski.
(President Clinton could claim that he was speaking directly to "Miss Lewinski", and the identification of "that women" was
between him and Miss Lewinksi.)
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