Vol. 08 · Shakespeare ·The Tempest, Act II.i ·Antonio
"Past is prologue."
Not quite the line.
How it's usually quoted
"Past is prologue."
What Shakespeare actually wrote
"What's past is prologue." Antonio — The Tempest, Act II.i
Why it matters
Inscribed on the US National Archives building without the "what's" — a stone misquotation. Shakespeare's contraction is not optional; dropping it changes the rhythm.
More from the canon.
Browse the rest of the shelf, or try a cold reading.