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.
her parasol in the corner of the sofa.
Miss Tesman
Takes both his hands and looks at him. What a delight it is to have you again, as large as life, before my very eyes, George! My Georgeā āmy poor brotherās own boy!
Tesman
And itās a delight for me, too, to see you again, Aunt Julia! You, who have been father and mother in one to me.
Miss Tesman
Oh yes, I know you will always keep a place in your heart for your old aunts.
Tesman
And what about Aunt Rina? No improvementā āeh?
Miss Tesman
Oh, noā āwe can scarcely look for any improvement in her case, poor thing. There she lies, helpless, as she has lain for all these years. But heaven grant I may not lose her yet awhile! For if I did, I donāt know what I should make of my life, Georgeā āespecially now that I havenāt you to look after any more.
Tesman
Patting her back. There there thereā ā!
Miss Tesman
Suddenly changing her tone. And to think that here are you a married man, George!ā āAnd that you should be the one to carry off Hedda Gablerā āthe beautiful Hedda Gabler! Only think of itā āshe, that was so beset with admirers!
Tesman
Hums a little and smiles complacently. Yes, I fancy I have several good friends about town who would like to stand in my shoesā āeh?
Miss Tesman
And then this fine long wedding tour you have had! More than fiveā ānearly six monthsā ā
Tesman
Well, for me it has been a sort of tour of research as well. I have had to do so much grubbing among old recordsā āand to read no end of books too, Auntie.
Miss Tesman
Oh yes, I suppose so. More confidentially, and lowering her voice a little. But listen now, Georgeā āhave you nothingā ānothing special to tell me?
Tesman
As to our journey?
Miss Tesman
Yes.
Tesman
No, I donāt know of anything except what I have told you in my letters. I had a doctorās degree conferred on meā ābut that I told you yesterday.
Miss Tesman
Yes, yes, you did. But what I mean isā āhavenāt you anyā āanyā āexpectationsā ā?
Tesman
Expectations?
Miss Tesman
Why you know, Georgeā āIām your old auntie!
Tesman
Why, of course I have expectations.
Miss Tesman
Ah!
Tesman
I have every expectation of being a professor one of these days.
Miss Tesman
Oh yes, a professorā ā
Tesman
Indeed, I may say I am certain of it. But my dear Auntieā āyou know all about that already!
Miss Tesman
Laughing to herself. Yes, of course I do. You are quite right there. Changing the subject. But we were talking about your journey. It must have cost a great deal of money, George?
Tesman
Well, you seeā āmy handsome travelling scholarship went a good way.
Miss Tesman
But I canāt understand how you can have made it go far enough for two.
Tesman
No, thatās not easy to understandā āeh?
Miss Tesman
And especially travelling with a ladyā āthey tell me that makes it ever so much more expensive.
Tesman
Yes, of courseā āit makes it a little more expensive. But Hedda had to have this trip, Auntie! She really had to. Nothing else would have done.
Miss Tesman
No no, I suppose not. A wedding tour seems to be quite indispensable nowadays.ā āBut tell me nowā āhave you gone thoroughly over the house yet?
Tesman
Yes, you may be sure I have. I have been afoot ever since daylight.
Miss Tesman
And what do you think of it all?
Tesman
Iām delighted! Quite delighted! Only I canāt think what we are to do with the two empty rooms between this inner parlour and Heddaās bedroom.
Miss Tesman
Laughing. Oh my dear George, I daresay you may find some use for themā āin the course of time.
Tesman
Why of course you are quite right, Aunt Julia! You mean as my library increasesā āeh?
Miss Tesman
Yes, quite so, my dear boy. It was your library I was thinking of.
Tesman
I am specially pleased on Heddaās account. Often and often, before we were engaged, she said that she would never care to live anywhere but in Secretary Falkās villa.9
Miss Tesman
Yes, it was lucky that this very house should come into the market, just after you had started.
Tesman
Yes, Aunt Julia, the luck was on our side, wasnāt itā āeh?
Miss Tesman
But the expense, my dear George! You will find it very expensive, all this.
Tesman
Looks at her, a little cast down. Yes, I suppose I shall, Aunt!
Miss Tesman
Oh, frightfully!
Tesman
How much do you think? In round numbers?ā āEh?
Miss Tesman
Oh, I canāt even guess until all the accounts come in.
Tesman
Well, fortunately, Judge Brack has secured the most favourable terms for me, so he said in a letter to Hedda.
Miss Tesman
Yes, donāt be uneasy, my dear boy.ā āBesides, I have given security for the furniture and all the carpets.
Tesman
Security? You? My dear Aunt Juliaā āwhat sort of security could you give?
Miss Tesman
I have given a mortgage on our annuity.
Tesman
Jumps up. What! On yourā āand Aunt Rinaās annuity!
Miss Tesman
Yes, I knew of no other plan, you see.
Tesman
Placing himself before her. Have you gone out of your senses, Auntie? Your annuityā āitās all that you and Aunt Rina have to live upon.
Miss Tesman
Well wellā ādonāt get so excited about it. Itās only a matter of form you knowā āJudge Brack assured me of that. It was he that was kind enough to arrange the whole affair for me. A mere matter of form, he said.
Tesman
Yes, that may be all very well. But neverthelessā ā
Miss Tesman
You will have your own salary to depend upon now. And, good heavens, even if we did have to pay up a littleā ā! To eke things out a bit at the startā ā! Why, it would be nothing but a pleasure to us.
Tesman
Oh Auntieā āwill you never be tired of making sacrifices for me!
Miss Tesman
Rises and lays her hand on his shoulders. Have I any other happiness in this world except to smooth your way for you, my dear boy. You, who have had neither father nor mother to depend on. And now we have reached the goal,
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