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Hedda Gabler
(1890)
Translation by Edmund Gosse and Scottish critic and author William Archer (1856-1924).
This play premiered in 1891 in Germany to negative reviews, but has subsequently gained recognition as a classic of realism, nineteenth century theatre, and world drama. Hedda's married name is Hedda Tesman; Gabler is her maiden name. On the subject of the title, Ibsen wrote: "My intention in giving it this name was to indicate that Hedda as a personality is to be regarded rather as her father's daughter than her husband's wife."
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Recent Forum Posts on Hedda Gabler
Thea and Hedda - A countercurrent
Has anyone else noticed that the beautiful Hedda Gabler seeks everything but ends up with nothing, while Thea Elvstead has chosen to leave everything that Hedda values. Thea comes to the city empty-handed - financially, ethically and socially - but triumphs beautifully as Hedda suicides.
Opinions of Hedda
Did you like her or not? As a character, I found her hard to get to grips with, and I thought her actions were wildly out of control and yet carefully chosen at the same time. I've read the play twice now, and I still can't make up my mind whether I like her or not. Any thoughts?
What upsets Hedda?
Is there an Ibsen guru out there? Having read several Ibsen plays, Hedda Gabler seems to present more puzzles than most. I've a few tricky questions on the men in Hedda Gabler's life. 1. Why, early on, did Hedda aim the pistol at Eilert Lovborg? Had he upset her through an affair with Mademoiselle Diana? It was Hedda broke the engagement with Eilert Lovborg when matters were becoming serious. Serious in what sense? 2. Did Hedda care more for Eilert Lovborg or Judge Brack? Was she having an affair with Brack? 3. Did she love or hate Eilert Lovborg at the end? Had she, could she have, loved anyone? 4. Was her motive in destroying Eilert Lovborg merely to test her 'creative' power to fashion something of beauty? Is she an aesthete? After all, Lovborg had no designs on Tesman's professorship and had broken with Mrs Elvsted. 5. Is Hedda narcissistic? Is she self-centred or self-absorbed? 6. Why did Hedda suicide? There are so many candidate explanations: Brack's blackmail, Tesman's defection to Mrs Elvsted, Mrs Elvsted's berth with Miss Tesman, Lovborg flight to Mademoiselle Diana instead of suicide. Had Lovborg made a fool of her a second time?
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