The Tempest
What three Goddesses are referred to in the Masque Scene?
Juno, Iris and Ceres
How is Felix similar to Shakespeare’s Prospero?
Like Prospero, Felix is a wronged figure who seeks revenge through performance and manipulation. He is removed from power, exiled (socially), and turns to theatre — specifically Shakespeare — as a way to regain control and process grief.
When was The Tempest written?
The Tempest was written around 1610–1611.
How does Hag-Seed reflect 21st-century attitudes toward revenge and forgiveness?
In a modern world more focused on restorative justice than punishment, Atwood’s version of Prospero (Felix) learns that true resolution comes not from revenge, but from letting go. This reflects contemporary values that favor healing and empathy over retribution.
Which famous band was John Lennon a part of?
The Beatles
Define Metatheatre.
a play that draws attention to its own theatrical nature, or the circumstances of its performance, often through devices like direct address to the audience, plays-within-plays, or self-referential dialogue.
What drives Felix’s obsession with revenge, and how does he eventually overcome it?
Felix’s desire for revenge stems from his betrayal by Tony and his unresolved grief over the death of his daughter, Miranda. He overcomes this obsession by finally staging The Tempest and symbolically releasing his version of Miranda, allowing himself to move on.
How does Prospero reflect Renaissance ideas about knowledge and power?
Prospero represents the Renaissance scholar, deeply engaged in books, science, and the occult. His use of magic reflects the era’s fascination with humanism, but also a warning about the dangers of obsession with knowledge at the expense of duty — which mirrors contemporary debates about science, religion, and power.
What is the significance of Atwood’s use of metafiction and intertextuality in Hag-Seed?
Atwood engages in metafiction by having her characters study and perform The Tempest within the novel — a play within a play structure that highlights the power of storytelling. This reflects postmodern literary trends and Atwood’s belief in the enduring relevance of classical texts when reimagined.
What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Why does Prospero break his staff and drown his book in Act V?
As a symbolic renunciation of magic and a return to humanity and mortality — representing closure, forgiveness, and relinquishment of power (possibly echoing Shakespeare’s own retirement from the stage).
How is Tony a modern reimagining of Antonio from The Tempest?
Tony is Felix’s political rival, who manipulates events to usurp him from the theatre festival. Like Antonio, he is ambitious, cunning, and lacks remorse — a symbol of betrayal in both texts.
How might the theme of colonisation in The Tempest reflect England’s expanding empire?
During the early 17th century, England was beginning to explore and colonise the New World. The character of Caliban and Prospero’s claim over the island reflect contemporary ideas about European superiority and the colonisation of indigenous peoples.
What are secular humanist values, and how do they manifest in Hag-Seed?
Secular humanism is a philosophy that emphasises human dignity, ethics, reason, and justice, without relying on religious beliefs. In Hag-Seed, these values manifest through Felix’s eventual choice to forgive his enemies, showing the power of personal agency and moral responsibility.
What is the capital of Mongolia?
Ulaanbaatar
How is Prospero portrayed as both a powerful ruler and a flawed human being?
Prospero is shown to be a master of magic and manipulation, controlling events on the island. Yet he is also deeply flawed — he admits he neglected his duties as Duke of Milan, and his desire for revenge shows moral ambiguity. His eventual choice to forgive reveals growth and a return to humanity.
How does Atwood use metafiction in Hag-Seed?
The novel constantly references and reflects on The Tempest, creating a story within a story. The characters perform The Tempest while living out parallel narratives, blurring the lines between fiction, performance, and reality.
What role did the concept of the “Great Chain of Being” play in shaping The Tempest?
The “Great Chain of Being” was the belief in a strict social and natural hierarchy ordained by God. In The Tempest, disruptions to this order (e.g., Antonio usurping Prospero) cause chaos. The resolution, where order is restored and characters return to their rightful place, reflects this worldview.
How does Atwood’s feminist perspective influence Hag-Seed?
Although Hag-Seed doesn’t feature a living Miranda, Atwood critiques the lack of female agency in The Tempest by giving Miranda an emotional presence as a ghost. By characterising Anne-Marie, Atwood empowers female characters.
In Greek mythology, who is the god of the sun?
Apollo
What does Caliban represent in the play’s exploration of colonialism?
Caliban can be seen as a symbol of indigenous people subjected to European colonization. His resentment, resistance, and loss of language and power echo the impact of imperialism.
What is the significance of the title Hag-Seed?
Hag-Seed refers to the insult hurled at Caliban in The Tempest, but in Atwood’s novel, it becomes a symbol of reclamation. Felix uses it as the name of the prison production and even as a badge of identity — turning a term of abuse into one of empowerment.
What role does the prison setting play in reflecting contemporary social concerns?
Atwood sets much of Hag-Seed in a correctional facility to explore modern issues like incarceration, rehabilitation, and justice. The prison system becomes a metaphor for isolation, transformation, and control, allowing her to examine how art can empower the disenfranchised and question the fairness of the justice system.
Why did Margaret Atwood choose to retell The Tempest in a modern context?
Atwood wrote Hag-Seed as part of the Hogarth Shakespeare Project, where contemporary authors reimagined Shakespeare’s plays. She chose The Tempest because it explores themes of revenge, loss, forgiveness, and theatre — all of which could be reworked in a modern setting.
In what year did the Berlin Wall fall?
1989