When Hedda Gabler (1890) first appeared in print ahead of its stage premiere, newspapers around Europe reported the advent of the latest Henrik Ibsen play. The Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten remarked 27 December 1890 on Ibsen’s acclaim outside of his home country, but nonetheless published an excerpt from a French review calling the new play too “Scandinavian” (1890: 2). Nineteenth-century theatre critics attributed Ibsen’s pessimistic evaluation of idealism to the bleakness of the Nordic region. They lambasted Hedda Gabler for its titular protagonist in particular: a newly married woman who ruins the futures of those around her because her own is seemingly out of her control. Nevertheless, the play’s intricate portrayal of gender inequality spoke to social reformers and overcame initial criticism. Today the play’s frequent global performances and adaptations into multiple mediums demonstrate its continued...
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Citation: Kienberger, Elsa. "Hedda Gabler". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 October 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4783, accessed 09 June 2026.]
