Prospero delivers his final monologue as an epilogue after all the other characters have exited the stage. In this address directly to the audience, he speaks about the loss of his magical abilities and draws a parallel between his past actions and his current situation.
Context: The Epilogue
Following the resolution of the play's main events, the stage is left with only Prospero. This final monologue serves as an epilogue, a common device in Shakespearean plays where a character speaks directly to the audience at the end, often asking for their approval or explaining the play's themes.
Content: Addressing the Audience
In this direct address, Prospero shares two key aspects of his state and situation:
- Loss of Magic: He explicitly describes the relinquishing of his supernatural powers, stating, "Now my charms are all o'erthrown." This signifies his return to being merely human, reliant on the audience's acceptance rather than magical might.
- Audience's Role: He makes a striking comparison involving his relationship with the audience. Prospero states that "as he imprisoned Ariel and Caliban, the audience has now imprisoned him on the stage." This highlights his dependence on the audience's reaction, implying that their applause or approval is needed for his final release from the stage and the play's world.
Through this delivery as an epilogue, Prospero transitions from his role within the narrative to directly engaging the spectators, setting the stage for the play's ultimate conclusion and his return to the human world outside the island.
