Shakespeare saw caliban as one of his comic figures, but nothing is terdementonal. The tempest underwent a number of different metamorphoses and performance since shakespeare. In the nineteenth century, when ariel was always played by a woman who flew around caliban, became a romantic hero. By that time people had caught up with slavery in the united states and noble savages. And there's a big question about him, which is, what happens to him at the end? Bernard told another of these open questions, we just don't know.
Margaret Atwood defines the Canadian sense of humor as “a bit Scottish,” and in this live conversation with Tyler, she loves to let her own comedic sensibilities shine. In addition to many other thoughts about Canada — it’s big after all — she and Tyler discuss Twitter, biotechnology, Biblical history, her families of patents, poetry, literature, movies, and feminism.
Is it coincidence that Atwood started The Handmaid’s Tale in West Berlin during 1984? Does she believe in ghosts? Is the Western commitment to free speech waning? How does she stay so productive? Why is she against picking favorites? Atwood provides insight to these questions and much more.
Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links.
Recorded April 9th, 2019 Other ways to connect