The Epilogue

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

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

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.'

1Key Words

1.1Key Words

1.1.1Key Words 1

1.1.2Key Words 2

1.1.3Key Words 3

1.1.4Key Words 4

2Context & Overview

2.1Context & Overview

2.1.1Overview

2.1.2Context

3Act 1

3.1Act 1 Analysis

3.1.1Overview

3.1.2Scene 1

3.1.3Scene 2

4Act 2

4.1Act 2 Analysis

4.1.1Overview

4.1.2Scene 1

4.1.3Scene 2

5Act 3

5.1Act 3 Analysis

5.1.1Overview

5.1.2Scene 1

5.1.3Scene 2

5.1.4Scene 3

6Act 4

6.1Act 4 Analysis

6.1.1Overview

6.1.2Scene 1

7Act 5

7.1Act 5 Analysis

7.1.1Overview

7.1.2Scene 1

7.1.3The Epilogue

8Key Characters

8.1Major Characters

8.1.1Prospero

8.1.2Miranda

8.1.3Caliban

8.1.4Ariel

8.1.5Ferdinand

8.1.6Alonso

8.2Minor Characters

8.2.1Antonio

8.2.2Stephano

8.2.3Sebastian

8.2.4Gonzalo

8.2.5Trinculo

9Themes

9.1Major Themes

9.1.1Power

9.1.2Magic

9.1.3Status, Race & Pronouns

9.1.4Comedy

9.1.5Freedom vs Servitude

9.1.6Revenge

10Authorial Method

10.1Authorial Method

10.1.1Genre & Time

10.1.2Music & Illusion

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