What is the primary purpose of a prologue in a literary work?

The primary purpose of a prologue in a literary work is to establish the setting and context. It serves as an introduction that provides crucial background information that helps readers understand the world that the characters inhabit, as well as the events leading up to the main action of the story. By setting the stage, a prologue can create an atmosphere or tone that prepares readers for the narrative that follows. This is especially important in complex stories where the context significantly influences how the plot and characters are perceived.

While summaries of the plot or introductions of main characters might be included in some prologues, these elements are not the primary function of the prologue itself. Instead, they may be more directly related to the chapters that follow. The conclusion of the narrative is distinctly separate from the prologue's role, as it typically falls within the final chapters of a literary work, providing closure to the storyline rather than setting up the events. Thus, establishing the setting and context remains the essential purpose of a prologue.