How Is The Character Of Hedda Established In Act 1
How is the character of Hedda established in Act 1?
The character of Hedda is established through many aspects. Hedda is the most central character to this play, hence it’s title Hedda Gabler, which implies her strength and importance even before the play has begun. Act 1 acts as way in which Hedda’s character is set up, and we form an understanding of her personality not only through her interactions with other characters, but through the stage directions and conversations that take place around her.
Prior to meeting Hedda, the dialogue between the other characters reveals a lot about her character. Perhaps the most pertinent image we receive as an audience before Hedda’s appearance on stage is how “beautiful” she is. One of the first times her name is mentioned, we are informed of her appearance as Aunt Julia says “and that you should be the one to carry off Hedda Gabler –the beautiful Hedda Gabler!”. Hedda seems to be defined solely by her looks; nobody seems to say anything else about her apart from how “lovely” she is. Hedda’s appearance is discussed with specific imagery, “long black habit”, on a horse and with “feathers in her hat”. These images all signify that Hedda is powerful and wealthy. She is further characterised when Aunt Julia specifies that she is “General Gablers daughter”, again alluding to her wealth and status. In the dialogue between Tesman and Aunt Julia, Tesman says “Hedda had to have this trip”, at which point we are given an insight into how demanding she is, and the first reference to a personality trait. This is emphasised when Bertha tells Aunt Julia that she is “frightened madam may not find [her] suitable”. From this, we can understand that Hedda is arrogant and self important. The fact that Bertha uses the adjective “frightened” suggests that Hedda makes her fearful, and establishes the idea that she is not a pleasant character.
Hedda’s interactions with other characters are very revealing of her character. Firstly, her
The character of Hedda is established through many aspects. Hedda is the most central character to this play, hence it’s title Hedda Gabler, which implies her strength and importance even before the play has begun. Act 1 acts as way in which Hedda’s character is set up, and we form an understanding of her personality not only through her interactions with other characters, but through the stage directions and conversations that take place around her.
Prior to meeting Hedda, the dialogue between the other characters reveals a lot about her character. Perhaps the most pertinent image we receive as an audience before Hedda’s appearance on stage is how “beautiful” she is. One of the first times her name is mentioned, we are informed of her appearance as Aunt Julia says “and that you should be the one to carry off Hedda Gabler –the beautiful Hedda Gabler!”. Hedda seems to be defined solely by her looks; nobody seems to say anything else about her apart from how “lovely” she is. Hedda’s appearance is discussed with specific imagery, “long black habit”, on a horse and with “feathers in her hat”. These images all signify that Hedda is powerful and wealthy. She is further characterised when Aunt Julia specifies that she is “General Gablers daughter”, again alluding to her wealth and status. In the dialogue between Tesman and Aunt Julia, Tesman says “Hedda had to have this trip”, at which point we are given an insight into how demanding she is, and the first reference to a personality trait. This is emphasised when Bertha tells Aunt Julia that she is “frightened madam may not find [her] suitable”. From this, we can understand that Hedda is arrogant and self important. The fact that Bertha uses the adjective “frightened” suggests that Hedda makes her fearful, and establishes the idea that she is not a pleasant character.
Hedda’s interactions with other characters are very revealing of her character. Firstly, her