Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
The character of hedda gabler
Hedda Gabler character analysis
Hedda Gabler character analysis
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: The character of hedda gabler
The Many Languages of Hedda Gabler
Throughout Hedda Gabler my perception of Hedda was influenced by many of the theatre languages. From the costumes she wore, the props she used, and the lighting that illuminated the stage, all of the languages had an enormous effect on my perception of Hedda. The first language that influenced my perception of her character was her costumes.
The theatre language that caught my eye first was the use of Hedda's costumes. As the play began she was wearing a bright elegant gown; without using the knowledge I already had about her from reading the play, this to me demonstrated her attempt to appear sane and in control of her life. As the scenes changed, so did her costumes; she began to wear darker colored gowns and at the same time her character's persona became darker also. In the last scene she is wearing a black gown with a touch of red; this influenced my perception a great deal. The small amount of red in her dress played a role in influencing my perception of her character. To me, the color red reminds me of blood and this idea along with many other aspects seen in the play, showed the pain and suffering Hedda had been through or put herself through. By examining her final costume, it was easy to see that this was the final chapter in her life. She was wearing the darkest color of them all, black, which is almost always associated with death; and as seen in the end of the play it fits in perfectly.
Along with the use of costumes, the props Hedda handled throughout the play also influenced my idea of her character. During the beginning of the play Hedda casually lights and smokes a cigarette; this in my opinion did not seem like a normal thing for a "presentable lady" to do in those days. This gave me the idea that Hedda was somewhat rebellious and did not portray the proper manners a "lady" was supposed to. Along with her smoking habit, the idea that she randomly fired her two pistols into the garden, nearly missing the judge at one point also influenced my opinion about her character. Reemphasizing her rebelliousness, this act also showed her lack of respect for human life; firing a pistol in the general direction of anyone demonstrates a complete disregard for the life of the person being fired upon.
I noticed a few major symbols throughout the scenes in this play. For example, Mama’s plant; this plant never fails to be watered and taken care of by Mama, and this represents not only her caring and compassionate attitude towards a plant but her attitude towards her family as well. Her care for her plant is similar to her care for her children, both unconditional and unending despite the less-than-perfect “garden” that it is in(their house).
One of Hester’s greatest qualities is her unrelenting selflessness. Despite her constant mental anguish due to her sin, the constant stares and rude comments, and the
In his essay On the Scarlet Letter, D.H. Lawrence explores Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of Hester Prynne. Lawrence focuses on and condemns Hester’s sin itself rather than its consequences. Instead of supporting Hawthorne's depiction of Hester as an innocent character, Lawrence sheds light on what he believes is her true character, a deceiver. He argues that Hester Prynne has a false appearance of purity through his use of critical diction, sarcastic tone, and biblical allusions.
meanings along with what is going on in the plot of the play, it is
Unlike today, women in the 1850’s did not have rights to do many things. Women had limited freedom, but Hester Prynne stood up for her rights and beliefs. Not only she was a feminist character in book, but also the people and their cultures and religion made her that way. In the book, it says that she is beautiful, tall, thin, and dignified woman. She is also said to be good with decorating and making clothes and helps the poor by donating clothes to them. She is not a woman who just sins and be proud of herself. Throughout the story, Hester Prynne tries not to sin and penitent what she did and helps...
emotions of the lines of the play. Both the text and the film show the
Hedda Gabler is a text in which a very domineering society drives a woman to her suicidal death. Many argue that Hedda’s death is an act of courage, as rebellion against the rules of the society, however other believe that Hedda’s actions show cowardice, as she is unable to cope with the harsh reality of the her situation. Hedda's singular goal throughout the play has been to prove that she is still in possession of free will. Hedda shows many examples of both courage and cowardice throughout the play, differing to the character she is with.
Upon her first appearance on stage, one can garner some very important clues as to Hedda's personality. She is “aristocratic and elegant” (175) and ...
The use of sarcasm is used by the characters in both plays to hide their direct thoughts and emotions. For example in Medea whenever she is talking to Jason she uses a sarcastic tone that lets us understand her anger and resentment against Jason, she says phrases like: “I willingly deceived my father; left my home; with you I came to Iolcus by Mount Pelion, showing much love and little wisdom” (p 31), and when she talks she talks bitterly to criticize Jason and to put him down, instead of insulting him directly, as she also does in some sections, she also uses sarcasm to communicate her emotions. When Jason accuses it being her fault she was left alone Hedda retaliates using rhetorical questions with a sarcastic tone: “My choice? What did I do? Did I make you my wife and then abandon you?” (p 35). In Hedda Gabler, Hedda is extremely sarcastic when she speaks to characters like Miss Tesman. In the first scene when Hedda first meets Miss Tesman, she purposely confuses Miss Tesman’s hat for the maid’s (Berte) to irritate Miss Tesman and get a reaction out of her, Hedda says after apologizing: “Yes, it’s very nice. Charming.” (p 275). Her tone is fake and sarcasti...
Hedda married Tesman, an academic student who supposed to have a potential success, not because she loves him, but just because as she said “It was a great deal more than any of my other admirers were offering”. In this quote she is showing her real feelings meaning that she never loves him and she just married him because he was the best option among the
If Hedda had been born a man, her life would be very different. Hedda would have had more control over her economic and social status, as well as the decision about whom can she marry. As a woman, Hedda could not do any of these things, and though Hedda had accepted the control of a powerful and important man, like her father General Hedda in her life, she could not accept her husband George's power over her, loving and gentle as he was. Therefore, the guns can only be toys for her; Hedda can never have the power that represented her father. Another symbol is the manuscript. It represents intellectual power and can influence the world just as her father dis with his military status and power.
Hester Prynne had outstanding character traits for a person that went through a rough time. She was very trustworthy and kept secrets that could have altered some outcomes in her life. Her unbelievable forgiving nature allowed her to remain helpful to the citizens of Boston and make them articles of clothing even with all the crude behavior she experienced. Hester was also brave, by committing to stay in the place of her sin. Hester is an outstanding
Hedda Gabler is a play with an undoubtedly interesting main character; Hedda herself. While she may have her faults, neurotic traits and undeniable issues it would be glaringly ignorant to ignore the fact that she is, above all a tragic victim. In order to properly showcase how Hedda falls somewhat perfectly into the mould of a tragic victim we must first figure out what exactly a tragic victim is. The most prominent and fitting description seems to come from the Greek philosopher Aristotle in his ‘Poetics’, while his definition is actually of a tragic hero instead of victim it is never the less still an extremely accurate definition and is still able to depict both victims and heroes equally well; he tells us that a tragic victim –or hero- is usually of noble birth, had a tragic flaw that usually leads to their downfall, be a character that the audience can relate to and feel pity or fear for and that the fall of the character is at least partially of their own making. By this definition Hedda is most certainly a tragic victim, and there is little room to argue against this.
Throughout history literature has changed into many different forms and styles, it has also stayed the same in many different ways, literary techniques and elements are key to a good piece of writing, a perfect example that shows us just this is in, A Midsummer Nights Dream, where we will further explore the different literary elements that were used most notably the plot. The plot of a story lays out the foundation and the background for the entire play to come, we'll compare and contrast this element and look at the different sub elements which are produced. We will define similarities and difference in these elements form both the play o the film. Taking a look at things such as climax, play incidents, and the conflict will all give us a better understanding of how it affects the similarities and difference of the film versus the play.
It has been suggested that Hedda Gabler is a drama about the individual psyche -- a mere character study. It has even been written that Hedda Gabler "presents no social theme" (Shipley 333). On the contrary, I have found social issues and themes abundant in this work.