Storywriting: Prologue or No Prologue?

[Flo]

I think it depends on the story. This isn't something you can make a hard and fast rule for. If you feel the story requires setting the stage, set the stage. Shakespeare did it, and you can to. That being said, there's a million ways to write a story, and most dont involve a prologue. You as the writer get the freedom to put the words that you want on the page. So think about your story, and try to imagine how you want it to start. Some stories benefit from little knowledge of the setting, characters, etc. But I can definitely think of others that benefit from explaining a few things.

Two houses, both alike in dignity, etc. etc.