Hedda Gabler as Tragedy | Hedda Gabler as Tragic Heroine

In this video, we'll explore the tragic elements of Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler and delve into the character of Hedda as a tragic heroine.

From her flawed personality to the societal constraints she faces, we'll analyze how Hedda's tragic fate unfolds in this powerful play. Whether you're a fan of Ibsen or simply interested in tragic literature, this video will provide a thought-provoking examination of Hedda Gabler as a tragedy and its titular character as a tragic heroine.

“Hedda Gabler” is the story of a noble lady, who is a slave of her own ambitions. Henrik Ibsen has successfully achieved his target of writing tragedy by presenting a story in which the illicit desires of Hedda Gabler lead her towards annihilation. In other words, “Hedda Gabler” is not only a play but indeed a tragedy in which a woman herself is responsible for her destruction because of her desires. The play remains a debate for critics even after the death of Henrik Ibsen whether it completes the requirements of a tragedy or not as discussed in poetic by Aristotle. Most critics think that Henrik Ibsen exaggerated the role of Hedda Gabler. He has given this play a melodramatic touch. However, they agree that it fulfils the requirements of a modern tragedy though not of Aristotle’s to some extent.

It is evident from the play that the tragic character, illustrated by Henrik Ibsen, is of noble birth. Hedda Gabler suffers not because of fate but due to her desires. The concepts of peripetia and hamartia, which are the most important elements of a tragedy, are obviously available in Hedda Gabler. Hence, there is no denying the fact that “Hedda Gabler” is not merely a tale of a woman but a successful tragedy.

While discussing tragedy, neither Aristotle can be ignored nor can William Shakespeare be underestimated. There is a difference between Aristotelian tragedy and Shakespearean tragedy. Regardless of that purpose of tragedy is the same. The Aristotelian tragedy is preferred in this context because a wider definition of tragedy has been given in “Poetics”. Even otherwise, most of the tragedies are written in view of the definition provided by Aristotle.

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