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Source identified
“What’s past is prologue.”

William Shakespeare · Fictional character · Antonio

Source
The Tempest
Date
c. 1611
Attribution
Source identified
Voice / speaker
Fictional character · Antonio
Meaning

What does this quote mean?

The past is framed as context rather than the whole story, leaving the future open to further action.

Source context

Where does it come from?

The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1; Antonio says this while urging Sebastian toward a conspiracy against Alonso. The phrase is therefore embedded in morally compromised dramatic persuasion rather than neutral advice.

Primary / edition source ↗

Voice attribution

Who voices the line?

Fictional character · Antonio. Antonio says this in The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1 while urging Sebastian toward conspiracy.

The source author and the local speaker can be different, especially in fiction, drama, dialogue and poetry.

Attribution

How should this attribution be read?

This wording is connected with the named source shown above. Translations and editions can vary, so consult the source note when exact wording matters.

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Themes

Ideas connected with this quotation