Hedda Gabler Flashcards
(13 cards)
when was the play published?
1890 (in the 19th century)
what type of society was it?
patriarchal society = women had very little power
however Ibsen was an early feminist writer
Hedda- Tone of voice, and dynamics
Hedda’s = managed + cool + sharp.
Harsh and commanding tone.
condescending / disdain. Particularly when dealing with people she considers beneathe her = Thea
Soft + alluring when being manipulative.
avoid being overly warm + expressive
instead clipped, calculating tone = underscores desire to manipulate + control people around her.
Thea- Tone of voice, and dynamics
high pitched + filled with nervous energy.
speech might be softer, less controlled, + more emotionally driven.
often sounds eager to please, particularly around Hedda,
reveals her vulnerability + need for reassurance.
tone should contrast to Hedda’s clipped, cold speech.
Hedda- Facial Expressions
Encourage minimal facial
remain unreadable, inner turmoil beneath a vender of calm.
moments of frustration / irritation (like when things don’t go as she wants) sharply hightened perhaps = tightly clenched jaw + sudden brief flashes of anger through:
>narrowing of eyebrows.
>Hidden frowns.
>Forced smiles.
Thea- Facial Expressions
Encourage more vulnerability + emotional transparency in her face.
Her expressions:
wide eyed,
her eyebrows raised in concern
constantly look to others for validation.
Eyes dart around the room.
Her face reflect her emotional turbulence = more rawness than Hedda’s composed mask.
Hedda- posture and movement
Hedda = poised, controlling, and self-possessed.
move = certain elegance almost aloofness= Elite upbringing + glides.
body language = convey: entitlement, as though she is used to being in control = chin up looking down, purposeful.
deliberate movement, avoid any physicality thats ‘too open’
stillness,
deliberate, holds eye contact,
stares intensely at times.
Thea- posture and movement
Thea = opposite of Hedda physical presence:
fidgeting,
can’t really hold eye contact
nervous.
more hesitant = movement,
she’s more open, timid + often portrayed as fragile
more physically ‘soft’ in her movements- gentle, hesitant, without the self-assurance Hedda exudes.
fidget / avoid direct eye contact = lack of confidence + discomfort in certain situations.
Introduction - what it explores/ challenges/ characters presented
Ibsen’s 19th century ‘Hedda Gabler’ explores the frustration women had due to their little power in the patriarchal 19th century.
Ibsen although not a feminist challenged conventions placed on women at the time, revealed through Ibsen’s stark contrast between Thea + Hedda.
Hedda = frustration of her sex - equally bored + repressed
too terrified of scandal that would arise if she behave improper.
Thea also defined by her relationship with a man.
However, Thea embodied courage to leave loveless marriage despite ‘talk’ of the town.
Interpretation:
reveal Hedda’s:
cunning, cold, manipulative nature = emotions are too almost repressed.
In contrast, Thea’s:
compassionate, trusting, warm nature.
Hedda looks down on Thea + uses her to escape her boredom;
Thea = intimidated + frightened = Hedda’s suddenly caring nature.
>I WILL DIRECT MY ACTORS IN A NATURALISTIC STYLE AS APPROPRIATE TO THE ORIGINAL CONTEXT OF THE PLAY.
Natuarlism:
I will direct my actors in a naturalistic style as appropriate to the original context of the play.
Casting choice:
two actresses to look as different as possible; to achieve this I would want the actress playing
Hedda = short thin auburn straight hair
slim build + angular face, with light/greyish eyes.
pale = ultimately will work together = reflect Hedda’s cold nature.
Thea = abundance off curly blonde hair = significance of this to her and Hedda’s relationship = something Hedda is jealous of
delicate build and a round face with blue eyes to contrast Hedda.
Explaining choice of extract:
My first extract is from act one, when Thea Alvstead visits the Tesman’s out off her concern for Loevborg.
In this extract, we witness Hedda’s cold manipulative nature, as she preys on Thea, taking advantage of her warm, compassionate personality.
I chose this extract as it exacerbated the stark contrast between Hedda and Thea.
