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Prologue
Prologue, introductory poem or speech, which originally explained or commented on the action of the play which it preceded. It was first used by Euripides and later by the Elizabethans, who applied to it the name Chorus. Together with the epilogue, which closed the action, the prologue was extensively used during the Restoration period, providing a good deal of incidental information on the contemporary theatre. It survived well into the 18th century, and disappeared with the crowded bills of the 19th century. It is now used only on special occasions. At their best the prologue and epilogue were witty and sometimes scurrilous commentaries on politics and social conditions, written by outstanding men of the theatre, such as Dryden and Garrick, and spoken by the leading actor or actress.
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Cite this article
PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Prologue." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Prologue." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Prologue.html PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Prologue." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Prologue.html |
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prologue
pro·logue / ˈprōˌlôg; -ˌläg/ • n. a separate introductory section of a literary or musical work: this idea is outlined in the prologue. ∎ an event or action that leads to another event or situation: civil unrest in a few isolated villages became the prologue to widespread rebellion. ∎ (in professional cycling) a short preliminary time trial held before a race to establish a leader. ∎ the actor who delivers the prologue in a play. |
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"prologue." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "prologue." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-prologue.html "prologue." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-prologue.html |
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prologue
prologue preface to a discourse or drama XIII; speaker of this XVI. — (O)F. — L. prologus — Gr. prólogos, f. PRO-2 + lógos speech.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "prologue." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "prologue." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-prologue.html T. F. HOAD. "prologue." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-prologue.html |
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prologue
prologue •agog, befog, blog, bog, clog, cog, dog, flog, fog, frog, grog, hog, Hogg, hotdog, jog, log, nog, prog, slog, smog, snog, sprog, tautog, tog, trog, wog
•hangdog • lapdog • seadog • sheepdog
•watchdog • bulldog • gundog • firedog
•underdog • pettifog • pedagogue
•demagogue • synagogue • sandhog
•hedgehog • warthog • groundhog
•roadhog • backlog • Kellogg • weblog
•eclogue
•epilogue (US epilog)
•prologue (US prolog) • footslog
•ideologue
•dialogue (US dialog) • duologue
•Decalogue
•analog, analogue (US analog)
•monologue • apologue
•catalogue (US catalog) • travelogue
•eggnog • leapfrog • bullfrog
•Taganrog
•golliwog, polliwog
•phizog • Herzog
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Cite this article
"prologue." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "prologue." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-prologue.html "prologue." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-prologue.html |
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