The Tempest and Hag-Seed: A Comparison of the Performance Illusion Motif Dominique Schoff 12th Grade

William Shakespeare's The Tempest, and its adaptation, Hag-seed, by modern novelist, Margaret Atwood collides two contexts together into the one tale. The key illusions created by Prospero and Felix with aid of Ariel and 8Handz prompts penitent self-reflection of both character and audience. The creation of this imaginary world stimulates new insights by stressing the discrepancy between what is real and what is illusionary, as well as what is morally valued or rejected, providing insights into the true characters of our two protagonists. Shakespeare and Atwood illustrate ways in which art can unite people, can candidly portray the worst of humanity whilst inspiring hope that we may choose to change. Performance and illusion provide insights into the true characters of our two protagonists as Shakespeare and Atwood continue to dialogically pervade their contexts to craft their work with a precipitated and determined eloquence to prove that the power of theatre and illusion are in no means to be underestimated.

Prospero and Felix use performative elements to control their fate, within and outside the constructs of the play. Atwood and Shakespeare transfigure diverse and provocative insights into the character's relationships...