the Goodreads Team
asked
Margaret Atwood:
Can you a come up with a deleted scene from your favorite Shakespeare play?
Margaret Atwood
My upcoming book Hag-Seed re-imagines Shakespeare’s The Tempest. In honor of Shakespeare Week, here’s a ‘deleted scene’ from Shakespeare’s play!
Before the tempest.
Prospero and Miranda, seated at a table with dishes and goblets, in front of the entrance to Prospero’s cave.
Prospero:
’Tis past the hour.
Miranda:
Well past! I faint for hunger!
Prospero (calls):
Thou toad! Thou fen! Thou cup of dung! Thou wart!
Laggard, bring forth the viands!
Caliban (within):
They’re not cooked through.
Prospero:
Wherefore not cooked! Thou freckled malice, out!
Thou’re pinched by goblins else! Produce our meal!
Caliban (comes forth, bearing a dish):
Here’s pig-nuts for you. May they choke your craw!
Miranda:
Pig-nuts! Once more? ’Tis the fourth time this week!
I hoped there might be berries, or a fish…
Caliban:
Dig other foods thyself, if thou be squeamish.
Talk sweeter, if thou wish for sweeter dinners!
Prospero (tasting):
Faugh, toadstool! Hast a mind to poison us?
Caliban:
Vapours bloat your bellies! May you rot!
Gladly I would have poisoned you full oft,
And danced with tenfold joy while you lay writhing,
Had not your imps prevented!
Prospero:
For this thou shall be twisted into knots,
Flung into mires, thy tendons twanged like strings…
Ariel appears, invisible.
Ariel:
Master, the ship approaches, as foretold.
Prospero (rising):
Bring me my magic garment! Here’s my luck!
Mine enemies, and sailed within my reach!
Thunder, I say, and darkest clouds boil forth,
The portrait of mine anger! Ariel, strike!
(Exit)
Caliban:
Oho! He’s left the wench all unattended!
And so this chance may prove my luck as well!
Before the tempest.
Prospero and Miranda, seated at a table with dishes and goblets, in front of the entrance to Prospero’s cave.
Prospero:
’Tis past the hour.
Miranda:
Well past! I faint for hunger!
Prospero (calls):
Thou toad! Thou fen! Thou cup of dung! Thou wart!
Laggard, bring forth the viands!
Caliban (within):
They’re not cooked through.
Prospero:
Wherefore not cooked! Thou freckled malice, out!
Thou’re pinched by goblins else! Produce our meal!
Caliban (comes forth, bearing a dish):
Here’s pig-nuts for you. May they choke your craw!
Miranda:
Pig-nuts! Once more? ’Tis the fourth time this week!
I hoped there might be berries, or a fish…
Caliban:
Dig other foods thyself, if thou be squeamish.
Talk sweeter, if thou wish for sweeter dinners!
Prospero (tasting):
Faugh, toadstool! Hast a mind to poison us?
Caliban:
Vapours bloat your bellies! May you rot!
Gladly I would have poisoned you full oft,
And danced with tenfold joy while you lay writhing,
Had not your imps prevented!
Prospero:
For this thou shall be twisted into knots,
Flung into mires, thy tendons twanged like strings…
Ariel appears, invisible.
Ariel:
Master, the ship approaches, as foretold.
Prospero (rising):
Bring me my magic garment! Here’s my luck!
Mine enemies, and sailed within my reach!
Thunder, I say, and darkest clouds boil forth,
The portrait of mine anger! Ariel, strike!
(Exit)
Caliban:
Oho! He’s left the wench all unattended!
And so this chance may prove my luck as well!
More Answered Questions
Crystal
asked
Margaret Atwood:
There are fewer authors who have the ability to be recognized by the general populous, both as novelists and poets. I teach your poetry in my Literature Appreciation courses. I would love to hear your perspective on how you switch between the genres when writing and how you approach each. Is poetry more "pleasure" than work? Did you start with prose or poetry all those years ago? Thank you.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Dec 22, 2020 06:43PM · flag
Jul 14, 2021 06:29PM · flag