Prologue bedeutung im cambridge englisch worterbuch. Prologue a prologue is similar to an introduction, and in my view it is really exactly the same. The metaphors of invisibility and blindness allow for an examination of. Prologue examples and definition of prologue literary devices. An epilogue is a concluding section essentially an extra chapter that comes at the very end of a piece of literature, usually a novel or play. Klems is the online managing editor of writers digest magazine.
The word occurs in the preface to ecclesiasticus sirach, a. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The prologue of invisible man introduces the major themes that define the rest of the novel. Prologue definition is the preface or introduction to a literary work. You can use a prologue in fiction and nonfiction, but its used only to explain key information that doesnt follow the time flow of the rest of your book. An epilogue, like a prologue, is a section of a book that stands outside the narrative. The prologue of this book suggested a much less exciting story than it turned out to be. The ancient greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but. Nabal refused to help david, for which god smote him dead. Aldiran a star in the constellation leo alexander the representative of the ideal for the medieval person alnath a star in the constellation aries amphion the king of thebes and husband of niobe. Rowling controversially used this device to end her harry potter series.
In the words of renowned typographer jan tschichold 19021974, book design, though largely forgotten today, relies upon methods and rules upon which it is impossible to improve, and which have been developed over centuries. If the book is serious, the prologue shouldnt be funny. The pros and cons of using a prologue and when to write. Information and translations of prologue in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The prologue focuses on a secret of one of the characters which the main character would. A prologue is an introductory part of a play or literary work. A prologue is a speech or section of text that introduces a play or book. The ancient greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance, more.
The difference, however, is that a preface will always contain at least one section in which the author speaks directly to the reader about the project and purpose of the book. Prologue definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Prologue definition prologue comes from the greek term prologos, which means before word, is an opening of a story that establishes the setting, and gives background details. Romeo and juliet prologue translation shakescleare, by. When the author steps in and speaks directly to the reader, that is more properly considered an. Prologue meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Some works of literature start with a prologue, a short introductory section that gives background information or sets the stage for the story to come. It is presented from the perspective of within the story. Prologue prolog, prolog prologos, foreword, preface, introduction.
The definition of a prologue is something that comes before an introduction to a book or play, or may be an action or situation that leads to something else. 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. Prologue comes from the greek term prologos, which means before word, is an opening of a story that establishes the setting, and gives background details. The introduction also comes before the first chapter, though it. Prologue definition in the cambridge english dictionary. A prologue is a separate introductory section that comes before the main body of a poem, novel, or play. Generally speaking, the main function of a prologue tells some earlier story, and connects it to the main story. A preface, prologue, and foreword are all a part of a book s front matter, the introductory pages of a book before the main textoften numbered with roman numeralsthat include the title page and table of contents. So if your prologue doesnt fit this criterion, either cut it or change it to chapter 1. Try to make the prologue be about half the length of your average chapter length. The story is written in first person, and the prologue is in third person. A prologue is a piece of writing found at the beginning of a literary work, before the first chapter and separate from the main story. The prologue provides the reader with information about the characters and their backgrounds that is necessary for us to understand the story we are about to read. Difference between prologue and epilogue definition.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of starcrossed lovers take their life, whose misadventured piteous overthrows doth with their death bury their parents strife. Except the epilogue comes after the main narrative. Book design is the art of incorporating the content, style, format, design, and sequence of the various components and elements of a book into a coherent unit. Prologue definition of prologue by the free dictionary. The difference is simply that if you write a prologue, it makes sense to also write an epilogue, while with an introduction you dont expect any type of closing to the book other than the last chapter. The definition of a prologue is something that comes before an introduction to a book or play, or may be an action or situation that leads to. A prologue or prolog from greek prologos, from pro, before and logos, word is an opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. It comes after the final chapter of a story and is typically titled simply epilogue though sometimes its referred to as a chapter. A foreword is written by someone who is not the author of the book usually a public figure or authority on the subject matter at hand. A prologue should also adopt the same type of tone that a story offers. Provide space between the action of your final formal chapter and the. In a nonfiction book, the leadin is now usually called a preface or introduction.
A prologue prepares the reader for the story theyre about to read with information that is necessary to have before the start of the novel itself. The initial ash release was only a prologue to the volcanos powerful eruption. Can the prologue of a book be set in the future of the. A prologue or prolog is an opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The reason that you would include a story in the prologue instead of in the book is because the story doesnt align with the timeframe that the rest of the book is in. Since most books follow a 2,000 to 4,000word structure for chapters, the prologue should only be 1,0002,000 words in length.
The main purpose of a prologueis to provide some background information that is important for the current story or text. Synonyms for prologue at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Foreword, preface, introduction, or prologue which one. Epilogue is a short section found at the end of the book.