7.1.3

The Epilogue

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Summary of The Epilogue

An epilogue is a speech or section that comes at the end of a play. Prospero asks the audience to set him free. Some see this as Shakespeare giving up his role as playwright.

Prospero wants to be set free

Prospero wants to be set free

  • The Epilogue begins with Prospero begging the audience to set him free.
  • Prospero thinks his job is done. The audience should applaud him so he can return to Milan with the others because they have seen what they wanted to see - the reconciliation and forgiveness at the denouement (final part) of the play as well as Prospero giving up his magic.
Shakespeare giving up his art

Shakespeare giving up his art

  • Many also read this as Shakespeare also giving up his art as a playwright. So the two become one in this rather empowering end to a tempestuous (very emotional) play:
    • 'As you from crimes would pardoned be, / Let your indulgence set me free.'
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1

Key Words

1.1

Key Words

1.1.1Key Words 11.1.2Key Words 21.1.3Key Words 31.1.4Key Words 4
2

Context & Overview

2.1

Context & Overview

2.1.1Overview2.1.2Context
3

Act 1

3.1

Act 1 Analysis

3.1.1Overview3.1.2Scene 13.1.3Scene 2
4

Act 2

4.1

Act 2 Analysis

4.1.1Overview4.1.2Scene 14.1.3Scene 2
5

Act 3

5.1

Act 3 Analysis

5.1.1Overview5.1.2Scene 15.1.3Scene 25.1.4Scene 3
6

Act 4

6.1

Act 4 Analysis

6.1.1Overview6.1.2Scene 1
7

Act 5

7.1

Act 5 Analysis

7.1.1Overview7.1.2Scene 17.1.3The Epilogue
8

Key Characters

8.1

Major Characters

8.1.1Prospero8.1.2Miranda8.1.3Caliban8.1.4Ariel8.1.5Ferdinand8.1.6Alonso
8.2

Minor Characters

8.2.1Antonio8.2.2Stephano8.2.3Sebastian8.2.4Gonzalo8.2.5Trinculo
9

Themes

9.1

Major Themes

9.1.1Power9.1.2Magic9.1.3Status, Race & Pronouns9.1.4Comedy9.1.5Freedom vs Servitude9.1.6Revenge
10

Authorial Method

10.1

Authorial Method

10.1.1Genre & Time10.1.2Music & Illusion
11

Recap: Main Quotes

11.1

Characters Quotes

11.1.1Prospero - Quotes11.1.2Miranda - Quotes11.1.3Caliban - Quotes11.1.4Ariel - Quotes11.1.5Ferdinand - Quotes11.1.6Alonso - Quotes11.1.7Antonio - Quotes11.1.8Stephano - Quotes11.1.9Sebastian - Quotes11.1.10Gonzalo - Quotes11.1.11Trinculo - Quotes
11.2

Text Structure - Quotes

11.2.1Power - Quotes11.2.2Magic - Quotes11.2.3Race & Pronouns - Quotes11.2.4Comedy - Quotes11.2.5Servitude - Quotes11.2.6Reconciliation & Revenge - Quotes

Practice questions on The Epilogue

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  1. 1
    What is a denoument? Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What has Prospero given up by The Epilogue? Multiple choice
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Scene 1

Prospero