Hedda Gabler by Ibsen

A detailed Summary of Hedda Gabler by Ibsen

Critical Analysis of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler

A spider becomes caught in it's own web. This is an example of an attempted manipulation that went awry. Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen, is a work about a woman who manipulates the fates of others in order to fulfill her own desires. The title character is a woman who has recently returned from a six month "honeymoon" with her groom, Tesman, a man whom she does not love. She yearns for freedom, but she feels as if she cannot leave her marriage. To occupy her time, she manipulates the lives of everyone around her. Hedda kills herself after becoming engorged in her own manipulations. Through the use of theme, setting, and then-current affairs, Ibsen produces a work that uniquely portrays the sources of the motivations of this manipulative woman.

Whether it be the burning of her former love's manuscript or supplying him with the pistol to shoot himself, Hedda's malevolence shows the ability of man to have total disregard for the life of another. Hedda coldly manipulates the lives of everyone around her. Through these manipulative actions, she ruins the lives of all of her acquaintances. Because she is not happy in her marriage, she attempts to forbid anyone else to live a conten

In addition to the setting, the time period in which Hedda Gabler was written is key to the background of Hedda's manipulations. The late nineteenth century was a time for change for the women of the world. The women's suffrage movement brought forth the concept of the importance woman's rights (Women's 1). Regarded by many as a feminist play, Hedda Gabler investigates the consequences of excessive feminism

The three aspects that explain Hedda's motivations for manipulation shed much light on Hedda's overall desire for manipulation. Truthfully, Hedda desires to manipulate the lives of others because she cannot manipulate her own life. She does not want to remain in her marriage, but she lacks the courage to get out of it. Because of the times and her situation, she feels that she cannot leave her husband. It seems as if these manipulations are a sick form of entertainment for Hedda. One could regard this play as a purely feminist work or as the story of a woman who has no regard for human life. In either way in which it is regarded, Ibsen realistically portrays the motivations of Hedda Gabler through his use of theme, setting, and current events.

ultimately lead to her demise. After giving Lovborg her pistol and insinuating that he must kill himself, Hedda's cruel intentions are finally revealed. Judge Brack learns of her dealings and, thus, gains an opportunity to take advantage of thi

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Approximate Word count = 951
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English