Student Question

What is the purpose of a prologue in literature?

Quick answer:

A prologue serves multiple purposes in literature, such as foreshadowing events, providing background information, and enhancing suspense. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, the prologue outlines the story, increasing focus on the reasons behind the tragedy. Prologues offer crucial context, especially in genres like historical fiction or fantasy. Authors use prologues to encourage deeper engagement, making them essential for understanding themes and setting the stage for the narrative.

Expert Answers

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A prologue can serve many purposes in a book or play.  Sometimes a prologue tells you what is going to happen before it happens.  An example of this is the prologue of Romeo and Juliet, which lays out the story in broad strokes.

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life … (Act 1, Prologue)

We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet’s sad end.  Why does Shakespeare tell us everything that happens before the play even starts?  There are a couple of reasons.  First of all, knowing what will ultimately happen does not give us all of the details.  It increases suspense, rather than diminishing it.  It also helps us focus on the whys of what happened, not just the whats.  Romeo and Juliet killed themselves, but why?  What happened to make this feud turn so tragic for a pair of young lovers?

Sometimes a prologue gives you important background information that helps you understand the story.  This might be true of historical fiction or science fiction, or even fantasy.  If there is a lot of information a reader needs to know to fully appreciate a story, a prologue is a good place to put it.

Prologues are not very common, and when an author uses a prologue it is a specific choice.  It means that the author wants the reader to delve deeper.  Do not skip a prologue.  It is more than just an introduction.  Prologues are important parts of a book.  They help identify themes and important background.  Some books also have epilogues, which appear at the end of the book.  These often tell you what happens to the characters after the events of the book, or give further information about the time period or place.

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