HEDDA+GABLER

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** Hedda Gabler **

Please devour and annotate these study guides. Very useful...
 * Study Guides**

Knowing more about the playwright often helps with issues such as setting and socio-political context.
 * Ibsen Biography**

In order to be able to fully appreciate drama when you study it in class you must be able to visualise the action as it unfolds. Having a set in mind when you read the play helps this process considerably. Check out the weblinks and look at the photos below to build up a picture of what the set design in Hedda Gabler could look like.
 * Staging**

@http://www.du.edu/thea/designs/Design-Hedda.html @http://www.bhstheater.com/page53aaaaaaa.html @http://www.zanepihlstrom.com/549465/Hedda-Gabler @http://www.trinity.edu/departments/speech_and_drama/Drama/Productions/Hedda/Hedda.html

Note the portrait of General Gabler, centre stage, taking a prominent place in this set.

A some what more simple set design.

A sketch of the set which accurately captures the tone and style of the time and era.

A darkly lit, ominous and oppressive set.

The use of red filtered light creates an ominous and fateful set - again, with General Gabler overseeing his daughter's decay.

1. What is Tesman's attitude towards his scholarly pursuits? How does this differ from Lovborg? Why is this important to the play as a whole? 2. What is Hedda's atitude towards her own sexuality? Consider her relationships with Tesman, Lovborg and Brack - as well as her attitude to her own marriage and pregnancy. 3. Is there a single force motivating Hedda's behavior, or is she motivated by different things at different points throughout the play? Give three examples to support your response. 4. Why does Hedda shoot herself at the climax of the play (you began to answer this last lesson - please ensure that it is complete - with references) 5. Discuss the importance of Hedda's attitude to other women in the play? Why is it so different from how she treats men? 6. Why is the play called Hedda Gabler? 7. Discuss the most important symbols in the play. 8. Why and how is the setting of the play important? 9. How is the audience supposed to feel about Hedda? Does Ibsen make her detestable? Captivating? Admirable in any way?
 * FULL STUDY QUESTIONS - 1 Page answers**

1. What is a beautiful death to Hedda? 2. Explain what is meant by 'vine leaves in his hair' 3. Explain the importance of the phrase 'burning the baby' 4. How is double entendre important to the play? 5. Discuss the importance of Aunt Rina in the play. What purpose does she serve? 6. Is this a play primarily about people or about ideas?
 * MINI STUDY QUESTIONS - 1/2 Paragraph answers**

Hedda Gabler Key Quotations
 * Key Quotations**

A useful source on a tricky issue... [|**http://www.enotes.com/hedda-gabler/q-and-a/what-does-hedda-mean-when-she-keeps-saying-that-72241**]