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Hedda Gabler

Henrik Ibsen

Start date: November 1, 2020

Finish date: November 30, 2020

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Apr 19, 2016 Josh Caporale rated it really liked it

I am happy that I had the opportunity to come across and read one of Henrik Ibsen's plays, which I currently own a collection of six such plays, another of which being A Doll's House, which I was familiar with. While I thought A Doll's House was his most renowned, the B&N Classics argue that this here takes that particular title. Hedda Gabler was an interesting experience and it really takes the woman's role in the household, and in this case the play, in a far more different approach than ever I am happy that I had the opportunity to come across and read one of Henrik Ibsen's plays, which I currently own a collection of six such plays, another of which being A Doll's House, which I was familiar with. While I thought A Doll's House was his most renowned, the B&N Classics argue that this here takes that particular title. Hedda Gabler was an interesting experience and it really takes the woman's role in the household, and in this case the play, in a far more different approach than ever before.

Hedda Tesman just recently married George Tesman, but her feelings about their relationship are somewhat cold. Her heart lies far more greatly with Eilert Lovborg, who has recently published a book that has picked up acclaim among others, though his approach is that of a low self-esteem. Lovborg is engaged in a relationship with Thea Elvsted, who left her husband, because she was in love with Lovborg. In turn, Judge Brack has a thing for Hedda and wants to start a "triangle" with her (ughhhh... the love triangles...). When you mix these jumbled affairs with internal conflicts that create a struggle for each of the characters, the result is an authentic drama.

I am giving this play a solid four out of five stars, though in some cases, I feel that this rating is a bit lukewarm. What I really liked about this play is that the sequential structure made it much easier to follow. I liked how the setting was designed efficiently and how we got a sense of each character in the play, by all means their physical appearance, but in other cases their emotional appearance as well. Love triangles irritate me when they are not done well and I felt that this did not do so much that was special to create such (thought it looks a bit more like a "love diamond." Hedda Gabler's character, especially in demeanor, is something worth checking out. She is very much in control of her destiny, though her disposition is very much a mystery. Next to the others, she possesses a great deal of confidence in interacting with anyone she comes across, whether they be male or female.

Very well put together! ...more

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