Answer: The Prologue is spoken by the Chorus. Its purpose is to introduce the plot and themes of the play, and to foreshadow the tragic fate of the lovers.
Explanation: The Prologue is a fourteen-line sonnet that follows a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. It is spoken by the Chorus, which is a narrator or group of narrators who are not part of the action on stage. The Chorus addresses the audience directly and tells them what to expect from the play. The Prologue sets the scene of Romeo and Juliet by describing the city of Verona, where the play takes place, and the ancient feud between the two noble families of Capulet and Montague. It also introduces the main characters of Romeo and Juliet, who are described as “star-crossed lovers” (Prologue.6) who are doomed to die because of their families’ hatred. The Prologue reveals the outcome of the play before it even begins, creating a sense of fate and inevitability. The Prologue also establishes some of the major themes of the play, such as love, violence, death, and fate. By telling the audience what will happen in advance, the Prologue invites them to pay attention to how and why the events unfold, rather than what will happen next. The Prologue also asks for the audience’s patience and sympathy, promising that the play will try to mend any flaws or gaps in the story.
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