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Hag-Seed

Questions About Hag-Seed

by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (9)

Is there any significance to the name Makeshiweg? I know it's supposed to stand in for Milan in the play, but it is such a singular title!
Sarah Thompson The word means "fox" in a Canadian indigenous language. This is a great interview with Margaret Atwood on CBC where she mentions what it means. http:/…moreThe word means "fox" in a Canadian indigenous language. This is a great interview with Margaret Atwood on CBC where she mentions what it means. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/popup/audio/l...
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Do you need to read the previous books before reading this?
Val The novel tells you enough about the play to explain the context, as Gloria says. There is also a synopsis of the play at the end of the book, so you …moreThe novel tells you enough about the play to explain the context, as Gloria says. There is also a synopsis of the play at the end of the book, so you might find it helps to read that first.

You don't need to read the other books in the Hogarth Shakespeare series. They are all individual author's takes on Shakespeare's plays, so the only links between them are the author of the original play and the publisher. (less)
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Is the expression hagg seed in the Shakespeare Tempest? And if so, what does it refer to?
Ryan Yes, Act I, Scene II. Hag-seed is used by Prospero. It literally means progeny of a witch--which Caliban is. It is said in an insulting, belittling ma…moreYes, Act I, Scene II. Hag-seed is used by Prospero. It literally means progeny of a witch--which Caliban is. It is said in an insulting, belittling manner.(less)
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What does Hag - Seed mean for the title of this book?
Shelly Dennison It's a reference to Caliban - offspring of the witch Sycorax.…moreIt's a reference to Caliban - offspring of the witch Sycorax.(less)
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Does anyone have any ideas on the name of this novel? Would love to unpack the meaning behind 'Hag-Seed' and why the title was chosen?
Jaime Hag-seed is a pejorative directed at Caliban in the original play. It refers to the fact that he was born of a witch (hag). The implication that he is…moreHag-seed is a pejorative directed at Caliban in the original play. It refers to the fact that he was born of a witch (hag). The implication that he is somehow lesser due to his birth falls firmly on the nature side of the nature versus nurture debate - because his mother was a hag he cannot be expected to be reformed into what Prospero deems civilised society.

The inmates in the novel feel a particular resonance with Caliban, but they seem to identify more with the term hag-seed than the character himself, using the term more frequently than his actual name. As outcasts, they're undergoing a literacy program with the intent to rehabilitate them into society through learning (nurture) but the program is under threat because those in charge believe they are criminals by nature and unreformable.(less)
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