| “ | We don't normally race along like this. We're immortals after all. The need for haste is a mundy quality. | „ |
| ― Prospero to his fellow 13th Floor magicians, Fables #90 — "Ozma: Chapter Four of Witches" |
Prospero is a human Fable sorcerer who is a member of the 13th Floor magicians. He first appears in Fables #25 — "Our Right to Assemble Issue: Chapter Six — March of the Wooden Soldiers."
History
Invasion of the wooden soldiers
Prospero is a member of the magical group known as the 13th Floor magicians.[1]
As Fabletown gears up for battle with the wooden soldiers, Snow White takes a moment to brief Prospero and the other 13th Floor members on their roles in the upcoming fight. She explains that while their impressive abilities would be useful in battle, they are needed to ensure that the mundys remain unaware of what is happening: They must prevent the mundys from noticing or remembering anything that occurs there in the next few days. Snow makes it clear that they have been recruited for an officially declared emergency and, as a result, Fabletown will not be compensating them for their work; they must work without pay until the crisis is over.[2] Their leader,[3] Frau Totenkinder, agrees to this arrangement and states that they are willing to assist however they can.[2]
Amidst the chaos of battle, Clara's unintentional act of setting the wooden soldiers on fire creates an army of living torches, as these solid figures take a while to burn up. Snow White calls Totenkinder on the phone while Prospero and the rest are occupied with performing a magic ritual to keep the mundys from noticing what is happening. Snow orders Totenkinder to make it rain, hard and fast. Totenkinder exits the area to handle "Red Riding Hood," requesting that the others provide Snow with as much rain as she desires. They are more than capable of managing such a task without her assistance.[4]
Threat of Mister Dark
Later, Prospero joins his fellow 13th Floor magicians for a meeting at the Pumpkin House on the Farm. Ozma proposes that she become their new leader, since Totenkinder has mysteriously departed without any explanation. Both Mister Grandours, Prospero and Morgan le Fay hold the belief that such an important matter cannot be rushed. Prospero adds that haste is a "mundy quality."[1]
Return to the Farm
When the Fables are celebrating Christmas at the Farm[5] after Mister Dark has been defeated,[6] Prospero joins in on the festivities.[5]
Powers and abilities
Immortality: Like the rest of the 13th Floor magicians, Prospero is immortal.[1]
Appearances
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Original source
Prospero is based on the character of the same name from Shakespeare's The Tempest. Prospero is both a master magician and the rightful duke of Milan, exiled from his home. After being shipwrecked on an enchanted island, Prospero has gained mastery over a variety of supernatural abilities. He applies this newfound knowledge to transform the island and its inhabitants, leading to a reconciliation with his usurper brother, Antonio. Prospero is notable for delivering one of Shakespeare's best-known speeches, declaring:[7]
We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.[7]
The character has been described as embodying Shakespeare's personal philosophy.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Fables #90 — "Ozma: Chapter Four of Witches"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Fables #25 — "Our Right to Assemble Issue: Chapter Six, March of the Wooden Soldiers"
- ↑ Fables #87 — "Bufkin: Chapter One of Witches"
- ↑ Fables #26 — "The Battle of Fabletown: Chapter Seven, March of the Wooden Soldiers"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fables #112 — "All in a Single Night"
- ↑ Fables #106 — "Downfall: Chapter Five of Super—Team"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lewis, Robert. Prospero, Encyclopædia Britannica.