Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re-"The Past Is Prologue"

I always thought allusions work by taking an image, phrase, or saying from its original context not as a means of reproducing the original context or meaning but using it to give expression to new meaning in another context, which is not always neat and nicely fitted. The past and the opportunity it affords is what is common to both contexts here. But I agree that while Shakespeare used the phrase as a signal of an intent to action, of continuity of action, Buhari seems to be using it as a signal of an intent to non-action and justification or opportunity for a break with past actions, sort of. So, CAO is right after all in sensing that if the past is the prologue of Buhari’s presidency, it can only mean that the past will inform his  actions, which is not what Buhari seems to mean. Which also would mean you are right in suggesting Buhari this time may be quoting the wrong Shakespeare if indeed he does not intend to revisit the past or allow it to determine his actions. It is like saying the past is appetizer…. Like prologue, that builds suspense and generates an expectation 

On 5/31/15, 6:39 PM, "Nnaemeka, Obioma G" <nnaemeka@iupui.edu> wrote:

Context matters. The context in which it is used in Shakespeare is different from its inscription in President Buhari's speech. Quoting Shakespeare out of context is not a good idea.

 

Obioma Nnaemeka, PhD

Chancellor's Distinguished Professor
President, Association of African Women Scholars (AAWS)
Dept. of World Languages & Cultures   Phone: 317-278-2038; 317-274-0062 (messages)
Cavanaugh Hall 543A                          Fax: 317-278-7375

Indiana University                               E-mail: nnaemeka@iupui.edu
425 University Boulevard                   

Indianapolis, IN 46202  USA

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From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Bode [ominira@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 11:27 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re-"The Past Is Prologue"

interesting: this is actually an allusion to Shakespeare see wiki:

"What's past is prologue" is a quotation by William Shakespeare from his play The Tempest. The phrase was originally used in The Tempest, Act 2, Scene I. Antonio uses it to suggest that all that has happened before that time, the "past," has led Sebastian and himself to this opportunity to do what they are about to do: commit murder.

On 5/30/15, 3:50 PM, "Nnaemeka, Obioma G" <nnaemeka@iupui.edu> wrote:

President Buhari gave an excellent speech. However, "prologue" is the wrong word in the context it is used:  "A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue." We can parse the word which way we want, it does not make it correct.

Obioma Nnaemeka, PhD

Chancellor's Distinguished Professor
President, Association of African Women Scholars (AAWS)
Dept. of World Languages & Cultures   Phone: 317-278-2038; 317-274-0062 (messages)
Cavanaugh Hall 543A                          Fax: 317-278-7375

Indiana University                               E-mail: nnaemeka@iupui.edu
425 University Boulevard                   

Indianapolis, IN 46202  USA

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From:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Bode [ominira@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 1:47 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re-"The Past Is Prologue"

There are many phrases in that speech that makes me suspect I know who may have contributed to the speech from this list! In any case, CAO, neither the prologue nor the epilogue are part of Act, one introduces the audience to the first Act and the other provides additional information not known to the audience even after the final Act. How can the past come after the final Act of Buhari’s Presidency, that is just about to begin? By saying the past is prologue, could he be saying the past is not the main Act or focus of his presidency? I agree as an idiom, it could mean a lot more…

Bode 

On 5/30/15, 1:01 PM, "Chidi Anthony Opara" <chidi.opara@gmail.com> wrote:

President Buhari while trying to debunk opinions in some quarters that he would be vindictive in power said in his inaugural speech that "the past is prologue".

One have been at lost at what the president meant by that quote, within the context of the message he was trying to pass across.

The president surely, could not have meant that he would preface (start) this present with the past, which is what his quote potrayed in my opinion.

What about "the past is epilogue"?

CAO.

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