Hedda Gabler: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Hedda Gabler, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- Hedda GablerGeorge Tesman’s wife keeps her distance from his relatives and dismisses his treasured slippers.First seen in act 1
- George TesmanHedda’s husband expects an appointment that Lovborg may compete for.First seen in act 1
- Mrs. ElvstedShe leaves her husband for Eilert Lovborg and asks George to support him.First seen in act 1
- Eilert LovborgA writer whose successful book follows two years of good conduct, he may compete with George.First seen in act 1
- Judge BrackHe warns that Lovborg may compete for George’s expected appointment.First seen in act 1
- Aunt JuliaGeorge’s aunt pledges the aunts’ annuity as security for his furniture and carpets.First seen in act 1
- Aunt RinaShe is George’s aunt, whose worsening illness he reports.First seen in act 2
- Act 1
George and Hedda settle into their expensive home, where family visits reveal her distance from his relatives.
- Act 1
George’s aunt reveals that she pledges the aunts’ annuity as security for his furniture and carpets.
- Act 1
Hedda embarrasses George’s aunt by treating her new bonnet as a servant’s discarded possession.
- Act 1
Mrs. Elvsted confides that she leaves her husband for Lovborg, and Brack warns of competition for George’s appointment.
- Act 2
Hedda fires a pistol near Brack and describes her unhappy marriage as he proposes an intimate friendship.
- Act 2
George reports Aunt Rina’s worsening illness, and Hedda admits deliberately insulting Aunt Julia.
- Act 2
Lovborg arrives with a manuscript about the future and assures George that he does not seek the same appointment.
- Act 2
Hedda exposes Thea’s fears and provokes Lovborg into drinking before he leaves for Brack’s party with his manuscript.
- Act 3
At daybreak, Mrs. Elvsted waits anxiously for Lovborg while Hedda sends her to rest.
- Act 3
George returns with Lovborg’s lost manuscript, then leaves it with Hedda to visit his dying aunt.
- Act 3
Brack reports Lovborg’s brawl and arrest, then warns Hedda against admitting him into their circle.
- Act 3
Hedda conceals the manuscript, gives the despairing Lovborg a pistol, and burns the work he shares with Thea.
- Act 4
Miss Tesman reports Rina’s peaceful death and hopes to find another sick person to care for.
- Act 4
Hedda admits burning Lovborg’s manuscript and claims she acts for George’s sake, which he takes as proof of love.
- Act 4
Mrs. Elvsted produces surviving notes, and she and George begin organizing them to reconstruct Lovborg’s book.
- Act 4
Brack reveals that Lovborg dies with Hedda’s pistol and uses his knowledge to gain power over her; she shoots herself.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- Judge Brack’sBrack’s party is the gathering Lovborg leaves to attend with his manuscript.First seen in act 2
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