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Help Understanding Essay Question (The Tempest & Hag-Seed)
ro_ro:
Hi i'm writing an essay for school on the tempest and hag-seed however i'm really struggling with how to address the question and answer it if any one has any idea it would be much appreciated.
A text can not only survive the shift from one form to another, but it can also thrive in ways not previously thought possible in in the original form.
To what extent is this statement true of the texts you have studied in this module?
Answer this with detailed reference to your study of The Tempest and Hag-Seed
Mod Edit: Removed caps in title.
angewina_naguen:
--- Quote from: ro_ro on February 27, 2020, 09:53:10 am ---Hi i'm writing an essay for school on the tempest and hag-seed however i'm really struggling with how to address the question and answer it if any one has any idea it would be much appreciated.
A text can not only survive the shift from one form to another, but it can also thrive in ways not previously thought possible in in the original form.
To what extent is this statement true of the texts you have studied in this module?
Answer this with detailed reference to your study of The Tempest and Hag-Seed
Mod Edit: Removed caps in title.
--- End quote ---
Hey, ro_ro!
Welcome to the forums! Sounds like you've got an interesting question here to work with. Your essay will essentially need to address whether you believe that Hag-Seed has managed to not only successfully translate Shakespeare's The Tempest into a new medium, but also that it has obtained a certain edge over its appropriated text because of it. You will need to cite aspects of The Tempest that have enduring values and universality, and how they have been reimagined for prose fiction in Atwood's novel. You should also consider how the differences in form and representation in Hag-Seed might invite more relevance to audiences today; the novel form is far more accessible and easy to register from a general audience view than a play, and representations of characters like Felix are more interesting and compelling than Shakespeare's (arguably) one-dimensionally motivated Prospero.
When comparing your texts, you should draw attention to how Hag-Seed increases your understanding of Shakespeare's text and because it was created in retrospection and for a contemporary audience, it both builds from the original play, whilst transforming itself into an independent novel worth engaging in. Some really good themes to get started with include revenge and justice, agency, power and redemption. You can also check out these resources that I recommended to another user a while back to help deepen your engagement in the module. Hope that helps and if you have any further questions, let me know!
Angelina ;D
ro_ro:
--- Quote from: angewina_naguen on February 27, 2020, 11:03:20 am ---Hey, ro_ro!
Welcome to the forums! Sounds like you've got an interesting question here to work with. Your essay will essentially need to address whether you believe that Hag-Seed has managed to not only successfully translate Shakespeare's The Tempest into a new medium, but also that it has obtained a certain edge over its appropriated text because of it. You will need to cite aspects of The Tempest that have enduring values and universality, and how they have been reimagined for prose fiction in Atwood's novel. You should also consider how the differences in form and representation in Hag-Seed might invite more relevance to audiences today; the novel form is far more accessible and easy to register from a general audience view than a play, and representations of characters like Felix are more interesting and compelling than Shakespeare's (arguably) one-dimensionally motivated Prospero.
When comparing your texts, you should draw attention to how Hag-Seed increases your understanding of Shakespeare's text and because it was created in retrospection and for a contemporary audience, it both builds from the original play, whilst transforming itself into an independent novel worth engaging in. Some really good themes to get started with include revenge and justice, agency, power and redemption. You can also check out these resources that I recommended to another user a while back to help deepen your engagement in the module. Hope that helps and if you have any further questions, let me know!
Angelina ;D
--- End quote ---
thank you so much
BakerDad12:
Hi, not OP but what if I don't believe that Hag-Seed is an enhanced version of The Tempest. The only thing I think it enhances is Prospero's character - Atwood adds depth to him. Other than this, though, I don't think Hag-Seed "thrives" anymore than The Tempest. Is arguing this point of view risky and susceptible to losing marks or not? I only ask because the question specifically asks "to what extent".
Thank you!
angewina_naguen:
--- Quote from: BakerDad12 on March 16, 2020, 09:14:40 am ---Hi, not OP but what if I don't believe that Hag-Seed is an enhanced version of The Tempest. The only thing I think it enhances is Prospero's character - Atwood adds depth to him. Other than this, though, I don't think Hag-Seed "thrives" anymore than The Tempest. Is arguing this point of view risky and susceptible to losing marks or not? I only ask because the question specifically asks "to what extent".
Thank you!
--- End quote ---
Hey, BakerDad12!
Sorry for the delayed response but you are absolutely welcome to argue to a moderate or limited extent if you establish your judgement clearly in the thesis and have strong textual evidence to support your arguments :) It's risky, yes, but if executed effectively, will set your response apart.
To also clarify something really important, you will never lose marks for anything. Teachers (though some annoyingly don't) are always looking to give marks, not deduct them. When you receive a 15/20, for example, you should never think of it as "I've lost five marks because of something I've done", but rather "I've been given 15 marks, so what else could I have done/should I do to gain those remaining marks?" This is not only the truth behind how marking is facilitated in the HSC, but is also intended to ensure students have healthier mindsets and reflective processes after their assessments.
Ultimately, English is incredibly subjective but that's what makes it so empowering. Your ideas are welcome to thrive and be explored, so long as you do them with guided judgement and provide relevant examples :D Hope that helps!
Angelina ;D
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