Hedda Gabler

Full Text and Introduction (NHB Drama Classics)

Henrik Ibsen

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781780014210
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

The NHB Drama Classics series presents the world's greatest plays in affordable, highly readable editions for students, actors and theatregoers. The hallmarks of the series are accessible introductions (focussing on the play's theatrical and historical background, together with an author biography, key dates and suggestions for further reading) and the complete text, uncluttered with footnotes. The translations, by leading experts in the field, are accurate and above all actable. The editions of English-language plays include a glossary of unusual words and phrases to aid understanding.

This Drama Classics edition of Henrik Ibsen's tragedy of a restless, discontented wife and the impact of her jealous machinations is translated and introduced by Stephen Mulrine.

HEDDA GABLER

Characters

JØRGEN TESMAN, a cultural historian

HEDDA TESMAN, née Hedda Gabler, his wife

MISS JULIA TESMAN, his aunt (Norwegian: Juliane)

MRS ELVSTED

BRACK, a circuit judge

EJLERT LØVBORG

BERTA, the maid (Norwegian: Berthe)

The action takes place in Tesman’s house in the western part of town. There are four acts.

Pronunciation

Jørgen – like the English word ‘Yearn’

Ejlert – EYE-lert (‘eye’ as in ‘eyesight’)

Løvborg – LE(R)V-bor (silent ‘R’)

ACT ONE

A smart, spacious living room, stylishly decorated in dark colours. Upstage, a wide double-doorway, with its curtains drawn back, leads into a smaller room, decorated in the same style. Right, exit to the hall. Opposite left, through a glass screen door with its curtains also drawn back, can be seen part of a raised verandah and a garden. It is autumn. Centre stage, dining chairs and an oval table covered with a cloth. Downstage right, against the wall, a dark tiled stove, a wing chair, an upholstered footstool and two stools. Upstage right, a corner seat and a small table. Downstage left, a little out from the wall, a sofa. Upstage of the screen door, a piano. On either side of the main double-doorway, whatnots displaying artefacts of terracotta and majolica. In the inner room can be seen a sofa, a table and two chairs. Over the sofa hangs the portrait of a handsome elderly man in general’s uniform. Over the table, a hanging lamp with a pearled glass shade. All round the main room are vases and glass containers full of cut flowers; other bouquets lie on the tables. Thick carpets in both rooms. Sunlight streams in through the screen door.

Enter MISS JULIA TESMAN and BERTA from the hall. BERTA is carrying a bouquet. MISS TESMAN is a placid-looking woman of about 65. Her grey outdoor clothes are plain but well-made. BERTA is a simple countrywoman, getting on in years. MISS TESMAN stops in the doorway and listens.

MISS TESMAN (in a low voice). They aren’t up yet!

BERTA (in a low voice). I told you, Miss Tesman. The boat came in very late last night. And even then, mercy!, the things the young lady had to unpack before she’d go to bed.

MISS TESMAN. We won’t disturb them. But we will let some air in for when they do get up.

She opens the screen door, wide. BERTA, at the table, is not sure what to do with her flowers.

BERTA. There’s no room anywhere. I’ll put them over here.

She props them on the piano.

MISS TESMAN. Just fancy, Berta – you, and a new mistress. I don’t know how I brought myself to part with you.

BERTA (close to tears). It was hard for me too, Miss Tesman. After all these years, with you and Miss Rina.

MISS TESMAN. Now, Berta, what else could we do? Jørgen needs you here. Needs you. Ever since he was a little boy, he’s relied on you.

BERTA. Oh Miss Tesman, I keep thinking of that poor lady lying at home. Can’t do a thing for herself, poor soul. And a new maid now. That one won’t learn how to look after an invalid.

MISS TESMAN. I’ll show her. And I’ll do much more myself. Dear Berta, for my poor sister’s sake, don’t worry so.

BERTA. There’s something else, Miss Tesman. The new mistress . . . I’m afraid . . . I won’t give satisfaction.

MISS TESMAN. Don’t be silly. There may be a few small difficulties, at first –

BERTA. She’s such a particular lady.

MISS TESMAN. Of course she is. General Gabler’s daughter. The style she had, when her father was alive! D’you remember her riding beside him, down the road? In that long black skirt? With the feather in her hat?

BERTA. Oh yes, Miss Tesman. I’d never have dreamed, back then, that one day she’d marry Mr Jørgen.

MISS TESMAN. We none of us dreamed it, Berta. But so she did. Oh and Berta, you mustn’t call Jørgen ‘Mister’ any more. He’s ‘Doctor Tesman’ now.

BERTA. The young lady told me that as well, as soon as they got in last night.

MISS TESMAN. Just fancy, Berta, they made him a doctor while he was away. On honeymoon. I didn’t know a thing about it, till he told me at the pier last night.

BERTA. Such a clever man. He can do anything he sets his mind to. But even so . . . curing people!

MISS TESMAN. Not that kind of doctor. (With meaning.) In any case, before long you may be calling him something else.

BERTA. Miss Tesman, what do you mean?

MISS TESMAN (with a smile). Ah! Wait and see. (With emotion.) If poor dear Jochum could only come back, and see what’s become of his little boy! (Looking round.) Berta, what have you . . . ? Why ever have you . . . ? You’ve uncovered all the furniture.

BERTA. Madam...