Hedda Gabler and Other Plays (Classics)

In these three unforgettably intense plays, Henrik Ibsen explores the problems of personal and social morality that he perceived in the world around him and.
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It is not just Bernick who is a hypocrite; all of this around him who might be considered pillars of the community, are really as bad. The only honest adult among the characters native to the town is Bernick's foreman Aune, and he is forced by the threat of dismissal to make the poor quality ship repairs against his better judgment. One of Ibsen's themes is the passing of corruption from father to son, and it can be seen in a mild form in this play in Olaf, Bernick's son, who is keen to travel, to take part in the modern world, and at one point is thought to have stowed away on the dangerous ship.

The main purpose of the play is the attack on the complacent superiority of the relatively unsophisticated Norwegian bourgeois, and it succeeds admirably, paving the way for the greater plays to come. Nora starts out as the quiet, dutiful wife, and is eventually driven to rebellion by the bourgeois conventionality of her husband. Hedda was a society success who married a wrong choice after the death of her father, and who is very quickly crushed by his dullness.

The fact that Hedda is generally known by her maiden name is significant of her attitude to her marriage. It is almost immediately clear from her interaction with Tesman's maiden aunts who brought him up that there is a wide social divide between them, and her conversation with the urbane Judge Brack reveals that there is a similar gap in terms of their interests.

Brack's aim is to pressurise Hedda into accepting him as her lover, something that she is unwilling to do because she doesn't want anyone to have power over her. While the Termans were away on their honeymoon, he has produced a book on the history of culture , which has taken the town by storm. His rehabilitation was the result of the inspiration given him by Thea Elvsted, who was at school with Hedda but who doesn't remember her as a friend. This is all because of jealousy over the fact that he has found true love with Thea, a girl she has always despised.

There was always an important place for the individual in Ibsen's work think of both Brand and Peer Gynt among his early plays, both about how an individual expresses himself.

Hedda Gabler and Other Plays : Henrik Ibsen :

The social plays such as A Doll's House are often about the relationship between an individual and society as a whole, and particularly about the difference between private and public morality. By the time he wrote Hedda Gabler, Ibsen's focus has moved back to his earlier theme of the expression of individuality; the difference between Hedda and Peer is that Peer Gynt is trying to work out who he is while Hedda knows her identity but is increasingly unable to express it except destructively. Thus the portrayal of Hedda is of vital importance to the production of the play, and it is a pity that the one performance I have seen Fiona Shaw in the mid-nineties was rather marred by turning it into melodrama.

Jan 27, Richard Clay rated it it was amazing. Published and still readable in , which puts Ms Fermor's first volume of Ibsen translations ahead of a number of other 'Penguin Classics' from the same era. A very good place to start on your journey through the great man's output. Ibsen remains the first Nineteenth Century dramatist you should look at and these are three of his most affecting.

Hedda Gabler and Other Plays

I did not read the first play, "The Pillars of the Community. Jun 23, Shayaan Rasul rated it really liked it. This role-reversal of husband and wife is exquisite "Hedda Gabler" is the fast-paced story of an unhappily married young woman, whose cunning and manipulation earn her a detestable reputation within the family. This role-reversal of husband and wife is exquisitely portrayed by Ibsen who uses delightful imagery and diction to illustrate how Hedda's manipulative edge allows her to completely dominate the relationship. By using an unnaturally small cast, Ibsen draws immaculate attention to the significance and personality of each and every character and how Hedda's bitterness and perversion leads to disastrous consequences for the entire family.

Aided by Una-Ellis Fermor's powerful translation and Ibsen's descriptive prowess, "Hedda Gabler" is a wonderful, yet tragic, play that stirs powerful feelings at the close Sep 25, Barbara rated it really liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. He was so ahead of his time, especially with Hedda Gabler even more so, in my opinion, than A Doll's House, a play that I also love. There is so much to say about this particular story, and I think this would be a great story for a book club.

Why was Hedda so bent on destroying her own life? Yes, she was bored with her marriage, but I think her boredom and a serious case of depression goes WAY back for her. The idea of death was so romantic to her, but to put it into simple words I think she just was bored and depressed with life in general and wanted "out. Jul 08, Liam Broughton rated it really liked it. Some thing I studied for my first year of English Literature I found it one of the best plays on the reading list that included Shakespeare's twelfth night and Pinter's The Caretaker.

Perhaps one of the most prominent points of the play is the portrayal of women and that of social acceptability. The main character is quite complex and I would argue is neither good or bad, the combination leaving the audience with mixed emotions. I would describe it as a must read and a play that I would very muc Some thing I studied for my first year of English Literature I found it one of the best plays on the reading list that included Shakespeare's twelfth night and Pinter's The Caretaker.

I would describe it as a must read and a play that I would very much like to see performed. Aug 09, Monique rated it liked it. This is one of those books that not many read for fun. I am one of them. The translation seems to maintain the dark humor and wit that Ibsen intended in his original work. The protagonist is detestable and pitiful; it is also someone who you want to root for at the same time.

In the end, the protagonist is paradoxically a winner and a loser. Jun 04, Claire rated it liked it. This was playwriting homework and I only actually read the last play Hedda Gabler. It was ok, reading plays loses some of their appeal I think - they are meant to be seen. The characters portrayed are such parodies of the time that I struggled to take anything seriously. I didn't really care that Hedda killed a man and then herself.

I was actually more interested in the scientific papers lol. Aug 07, Amy rated it really liked it. Timeless classic of modern play act structure. Hedda is not a villian or destructive; her "killing time" is laugh out loud satire, intelligent and very entertaining. Ibsen's form and content are playwriting perfection. How could anyone miss the point and take it too seriously? It is social commentary at its best and most balanced.

Feb 14, Greg rated it really liked it. A Victorian era play about a woman, Hedda Gabler, who was raised around the army by her father, a general, and was no stranger to guns, horses and excitement. Hedda finds no space to live in a world with certain expectations of a lady, and tries desperately to find freedom, life and meaning in the mundane existence she now occupies. I love a story that can pull off an unhappy ending well. Nov 01, Mia rated it it was ok. Henrik Ibsen's plays are socially aware drama revealing middle-class issues that people avoided talking about.

As you might expect from issues that people avoid talking about they are depressing, so that is why I put ok.

Hedda Gabler and other plays

Aug 05, Marc rated it it was ok Shelves: Pillars of the community: Mar 09, DilanAc rated it it was ok. I haven't read drama in a long time and perhaps I might enjoy Hedda Gabler on the stage.


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But really it was just evil woman destroys everyone's life and then kills herself. Oh well it was dramatic. I can say that. Feb 04, Bush Carkett rated it really liked it. Oct 21, Shelley rated it it was amazing. Reading this in high school I was fascinated by Hedda Gabler's character, her defiance and repressed anger. Still love this play. Jun 17, alissa rated it really liked it. Ibsen is a master of bringing out hypocrisy in the everyday.

Re-visted Hedda Gabler one of my favorite Ibsen Plays regarding a conflict for a passion, social conformity and self-destruction. Terrific twists of revealing the truth. Mar 02, Valerie rated it it was ok. I could never get into Ibsen's work. I don't necessarily find his work bad, but I personally don't enjoy it much. People who bought this also bought. Fahrenheit Ray Bradbury. The Tempest Vicki Wienand. Oxford IB Diploma Programme: Death of a Naturalist Seamus Heaney. The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood. The Great Gatsby F.

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