“The Epilogue” (Pgs 307-308)
KEY NOTES
The epilogue was not used in all performances (it does not add anything to
the plot) but Shakespeare added it in special performances, for example in
the court.
“Epilogue” means a section or speech at the end of a book or play that
serves as a comment on or conclusion to what has happened
There are octosyllabic couplets used throughout – this has a powerful and
memorable effect on the audience (which is the main purpose of why
Prospero is saying it as he wants to be remembered) as well as helping to
bring the play to a sense of conclusion.
- N.B : similar to Puck’s epilogue in “a Midsummer Night’s
Dream”
Prospero’s request for applause relates to the play’s themes of
forgiveness and reconciliation
Prospero is ‘breaking the fourth wall’ (the invisible divide between the
characters on stage and the audience watching that is broken when
characters speak to or acknowledge the audience) which makes what he
says very personal and makes the audience listen to it more and play
closer attention to his exact words
Prospero never refers the audience as ‘my audience’ but only as “you”,
therefore another interpretation may be that Prospero is addressing God in
divine prayer (as religion was of great importance in Elizabethan times),
asking for forgiveness for the sins he committed and man that he was at
the beginning of the play
Prospero may be using the epilogue as….
- He has learned from his mistakes and wants to be forgiven
so that he can start over again back as Duke of Milan
- OR he just wants to be free from the guilt so he can enjoy
his dukedom
There is a clear role reversal, as throughout the play Prospero has been
holding Ariel and Caliban captive, but now he is the one being held captive
by the audience
KEY NOTES
The epilogue was not used in all performances (it does not add anything to
the plot) but Shakespeare added it in special performances, for example in
the court.
“Epilogue” means a section or speech at the end of a book or play that
serves as a comment on or conclusion to what has happened
There are octosyllabic couplets used throughout – this has a powerful and
memorable effect on the audience (which is the main purpose of why
Prospero is saying it as he wants to be remembered) as well as helping to
bring the play to a sense of conclusion.
- N.B : similar to Puck’s epilogue in “a Midsummer Night’s
Dream”
Prospero’s request for applause relates to the play’s themes of
forgiveness and reconciliation
Prospero is ‘breaking the fourth wall’ (the invisible divide between the
characters on stage and the audience watching that is broken when
characters speak to or acknowledge the audience) which makes what he
says very personal and makes the audience listen to it more and play
closer attention to his exact words
Prospero never refers the audience as ‘my audience’ but only as “you”,
therefore another interpretation may be that Prospero is addressing God in
divine prayer (as religion was of great importance in Elizabethan times),
asking for forgiveness for the sins he committed and man that he was at
the beginning of the play
Prospero may be using the epilogue as….
- He has learned from his mistakes and wants to be forgiven
so that he can start over again back as Duke of Milan
- OR he just wants to be free from the guilt so he can enjoy
his dukedom
There is a clear role reversal, as throughout the play Prospero has been
holding Ariel and Caliban captive, but now he is the one being held captive
by the audience
