From Island to Prison: the Reimagining of Shakespeare's The Tempest in Atwood's Hag-Seed

This study delves into Margaret Atwood's innovative reinterpretation of William Shakespeare’s timeless play. Atwood’s novel Hag-Seed, published in October 2016, is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare project, which seeks to breathe new life into the Bard’s plays, making them accessible and relevant in today’s cultural and social context. Atwood’s Hag-Seed specifically reimagines The Tempest, transposing the enchanted island into a modern-day prison setting. The novel intricately weaves themes of imprisonment, redemption, and the transformative power of art, drawing parallels between Shakespeare’s original text and the realities of today’s world. Through her reimagining, Atwood engages in a dialogue with Shakespeare, presenting a postmodern and postcolonial perspective that profoundly resonates within a 21st-century audience. The analysis presented in this study is primarily grounded in postcolonial theory, offering a comprehensive examination of Atwood's reimagined characters (Felix/Prospero, Miranda, Caliban, and Ariel) and her nuanced approach to power dynamics, authority, identity, and the enduring legacy of colonialism. Finally, the analysis delves into Atwood’s exploration of the complex themes of revenge and redemption, the significance of the prison space, and the role of theatrical illusion. By examining these elements, the study uncovers how Atwood reinterprets these motifs to reflect the psychological and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.