Prologue

Prologue

A prologue (Greek πρόλογος prologos, from the word pro (before) and lógos, word) is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The Greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance. Preface, like the Latin praefatio. In a book, the prologue is a part of the front matter which is in the on the facts related in the prologue. The importance, therefore, of the prologue in Greek drama was very great; it sometimes almost took the place of a romance, to which, or to an episode in which, the play itself succeeded.

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Famous quotes containing the word prologue:

    A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy.
    James Madison (1751–1836)