87 pages • 2 hours read
Hag-Seed: William Shakespeare's The Tempest Retold
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Rural Ontario • Contemporary
2016
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed, Felix Phillips, a deposed artistic director consumed by grief and vengeance, stages a prison production of Shakespeare's The Tempest to enact his revenge on his betrayers. Through the transformative power of art, Felix and his cast of inmates grapple with themes of loss, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Humorous
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
42,211 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed retells Shakespeare's The Tempest with creativity and wit. Critics praise its clever modern twist, engaging prose, and deep character exploration. Some find the plot's pacing slow and theatrical references dense, but overall, it is lauded as a fascinating and imaginative read.
Who Should Read Hag-Seed?
A reader who would enjoy Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed is likely a fan of contemporary retellings of classic literature, such as Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea. They appreciate Shakespearean themes, dark humor, and modern twists on ancient texts. This novel would appeal to those who enjoy intricate character studies and narratives that mesh literary homage with innovative storytelling.
42,211 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Miranda
Miranda
An amalgam of characters and symbols, including Felix’s deceased daughter and the role in Felix’s prison adaptation of The Tempest. The actress Anne-Marie embodies the qualities of this character.
8Handz
8Handz
A prisoner with a talent for special effects who collaborates with Felix’s Shakespearean project. He plays a significant role in realizing the immersive experience within the narrative.
Tony
Tony
The antagonist who orchestrates Felix’s downfall, taking over his position and advancing in the political sphere. He serves as a source of conflict in the story.
320
Novel • Fiction
Rural Ontario • Contemporary
2016
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.