Significance of Prospero’s Staff and Robe

Felix’s staff and robe, which he intended to wear as a costume to play Prospero in his original production of The Tempest, is symbolic of his obsession with revenge. The costume is the last thing given to him before he is escorted away from the theatre by security and is the only vestige of his former life that he keeps in his new home when he begins his job at the prison. From time to time, Felix stares at the staff and robe in his closet, pondering whether the correct moment to wear them again has arrived, but always deciding that the time is not right. He only dons the outfit once he is sure in his plan and feels ready to play Prospero once more while enacting his revenge against Tony.