Hedda, the proud and willful daughter of General Gabler, newly married to George Tesman, returns from her honeymoon to Norway. She chafes at the prospect of a dull life in a loveless marriage until a former lover, Eilert LĆøvborg, returns and throws their financial future into disarray. The appearance of Heddaās old schoolmate Thea, who wants to reform LĆøvborg, and Judge Brack, who wants Hedda in his power, leave her struggling to build the life she wants.
Hedda Gabler was first performed in Munich in 1891, and within months there were productions in Berlin, Copenhagen, London, and New York. It was Ibsenās first play to be translated from proofs before performance or publication. Productions of the play have won two Olivier Awards and been broadcast in multiple countries; since 1917, it has been adapted into more than a dozen feature films in almost as many languages.
of the fresh morning air when they do appear.
She goes to the glass door and throws it open.
Berta
Beside the table, at a loss what to do with the bouquet in her hand. I declare there isnāt a bit of room left. I think Iāll put it down here, Miss. She places it on the piano.
Miss Tesman
So youāve got a new mistress now, my dear Berta. Heaven knows it was a wrench to me to part with you.
Berta
On the point of weeping. And do you think it wasnāt hard for me, too, Miss? After all the blessed years Iāve been with you and Miss Rina.8
Miss Tesman
We must make the best of it, Berta. There was nothing else to be done. George canāt do without you, you seeā āhe absolutely canāt. He has had you to look after him ever since he was a little boy.
Berta
Ah but, Miss Julia, I canāt help thinking of Miss Rina lying helpless at home there, poor thing. And with only that new girl too! Sheāll never learn to take proper care of an invalid.
Miss Tesman
Oh, I shall manage to train her. And of course, you know, I shall take most of it upon myself. You neednāt be uneasy about my poor sister, my dear Berta.
Berta
Well, but thereās another thing, Miss. Iām so mortally afraid I shanāt be able to suit the young mistress.
Miss Tesman
Oh wellā ājust at first there may be one or two thingsā ā
Berta
Most like sheāll be terrible grand in her ways.
Miss Tesman
Well, you canāt wonder at thatā āGeneral Gablerās daughter! Think of the sort of life she was accustomed to in her fatherās time. Donāt you remember how we used to see her riding down the road along with the General? In that long black habitā āand with feathers in her hat?
Berta
Yes, indeedā āI remember well enough!ā āBut, good Lord, I should never have dreamt in those days that she and Master George would make a match of it.
Miss Tesman
Nor I.ā āBut by the by, Bertaā āwhile I think of it: in future you mustnāt say Master George. You must say Dr. Tesman.
Berta
Yes, the young mistress spoke of that tooā ālast nightā āthe moment they set foot in the house. Is it true then, Miss?
Miss Tesman
Yes, indeed it is. Only think, Bertaā āsome foreign university has made him a doctorā āwhile he has been abroad, you understand. I hadnāt heard a word about it, until he told me himself upon the pier.
Berta
Well well, heās clever enough for anything, he is. But I didnāt think heād have gone in for doctoring people.
Miss Tesman
No no, itās not that sort of doctor he is. Nods significantly. But let me tell you, we may have to call him something still grander before long.
Berta
You donāt say so! What can that be, Miss?
Miss Tesman
Smiling. Hāmā āwouldnāt you like to know! With emotion. Ah, dear dearā āif my poor brother could only look up from his grave now, and see what his little boy has grown into! Looks around. But bless me, Bertaā āwhy have you done this? Taken the chintz covers off all the furniture.
Berta
The mistress told me to. She canāt abide covers on the chairs, she says.
Miss Tesman
Are they going to make this their everyday sitting room then?
Berta
Yes, thatās what I understoodā āfrom the mistress. Master Georgeā āthe doctorā āhe said nothing.
George Tesman comes from the right into the inner room, humming to himself, and carrying an unstrapped empty portmanteau. He is a middle-sized, young-looking man of thirty-three, rather stout, with a round, open, cheerful face, fair hair and beard. He wears spectacles, and is somewhat carelessly dressed in comfortable indoor clothes.
Miss Tesman
Good morning, good morning, George.
Tesman
In the doorway between the rooms. Aunt Julia! Dear Aunt Julia! Goes up to her and shakes hands warmly. Come all this wayā āso early! Eh?
Miss Tesman
Why, of course I had to come and see how you were getting on.
Tesman
In spite of your having had no proper nightās rest?
Miss Tesman
Oh, that makes no difference to me.
Tesman
Well, I suppose you got home all right from the pier? Eh?
Miss Tesman
Yes, quite safely, thank goodness. Judge Brack was good enough to see me right to my door.
Tesman
We were so sorry we couldnāt give you a seat in the carriage. But you saw what a pile of boxes Hedda had to bring with her.
Miss Tesman
Yes, she had certainly plenty of boxes.
Berta
To Tesman. Shall I go in and see if thereās anything I can do for the mistress?
Tesman
No thank you, Bertaā āyou neednāt. She said she would ring if she wanted anything.
Berta
Going towards the right. Very well.
Tesman
But look hereā ātake this portmanteau with you.
Berta
Taking it. Iāll put it in the attic.
She goes out by the hall door.
Tesman
Fancy, Auntieā āI had the whole of that portmanteau chock full of copies of the documents. You wouldnāt believe how much I have picked up from all the archives I have been examiningā ācurious old details that no one has had any idea ofā ā
Miss Tesman
Yes, you donāt seem to have wasted your time on your wedding trip, George.
Tesman
No, that I havenāt. But do take off your bonnet, Auntie. Look here! Let me untie the stringsā āeh?
Miss Tesman
While he does so. Well wellā āthis is just as if you were still at home with us.
Tesman
With the bonnet in his hand, looks at it from all sides. Why, what a gorgeous bonnet youāve been investing in!
Miss Tesman
I bought it on Heddaās account.
Tesman
On Heddaās account? Eh?
Miss Tesman
Yes, so that Hedda neednāt be ashamed of me if we happened to go out together.
Tesman
Patting her cheek. You always think of everything, Aunt Julia. Lays the bonnet on a chair beside the table. And now, look hereā āsuppose we sit comfortably on the sofa and have a little chat, till Hedda comes.
They seat themselves. She places
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