‘How would you interpret this character (Loevbrog) for a modern-day audience’ [30marks]
The play of Hedda Gabler was originally played to a 19th century audience and in this
century, it was dominated by strict Victorian social codes and laws that severely restricted
the right of all women, and especially married women like Hedda herself. Therefore, at the
time the reactions of the audience would be extremely different than today’s modern
world. There would be an element of shock and possibly disturbance. However, in the
modern world today the reactions would be less surprised as the common themes of power
and influence by women run through the play. The purpose of Loevburg is to bring out a
different side of Hedda as they understand each other and share a special bond. Hedda is
seen to be disrespectful and harsh with Tesman but with Loevburg, she is seen to be more
attentive and thoughtful. The character of Loevborg at the time of writing could have been
seen as an alcoholic who took a wrong turn in his life and someone who is weak-willed or
has ‘a troubled soul’. I would interpret him as being a needy for example, he would have a
quivering tone and be very shaky with his body language from being hungover. Because of
these choices, I feel the audience will be able to witness the frail side of a strong and
successful man he was portrayed earlier in the play, which builds tension in my key
moments. The relationship between Hedda and loevborg is very imitate confidants and
comrades, but Hedda violently broke the relationship off when it threatened to become
sexual.
Loevburg was once a public outcast but has now returned to the city and has published a
book to rave reviews. He has another manuscript in which with the help of Mrs. Elvsted,
became even more promising. My key moments are based in the very end of the play where
Hedda and Loevborg are in the living room, where Hedda manipulates Loevburg and
encourages him to kill himself. He has now returned to the city and is in Hedda and
Tesman’s home after returning from a party where he got drunk. This is an iconic moment in
the play, it is the second time that the pistol is present with the two characters, it is also the
last time they see each other and bid their final goodbye. In my first key moment, my
objective is wanting to show Hedda reassurance. My tactic when saying the first line of
dialogue “i? through the streets? Do you want me to let people see her with me?” is to sit
down next to Hedda because a proximity would show that we have a close relationship and
would be something natural in our interaction as well as the amount of trust I have for
Hedda. My body language is very laid back, for example I will be lying on the coach with my
hands at the back of my head which can act like a cushion for my head, suggesting to the
audience I am either hangover or just exhausted. This also create a very clam and laid-back
atmosphere which will resonates with the audience. My eye contact will be very vague and
unfocused and blankly stare at random objects in the room. I speak in a quivering tone, to
also show my discomfort and anxiety when being alone in a room with Hedda. My
behaviour makes Hedda suspicious as nearly all her dialogues are questions or confirmation
of what I have just said. The audience would be able to see the extremely high levels of
tension between Hedda and I as she has a stronger tone in her voice while I say lines like “I
don’t know” or “but to kill a child isn’t the worse thing a father can do”. This impacts the
audience as we can see their relationship at this point in the play and how Hedda is
extremely controlling and manipulative over loevborg.
The play of Hedda Gabler was originally played to a 19th century audience and in this
century, it was dominated by strict Victorian social codes and laws that severely restricted
the right of all women, and especially married women like Hedda herself. Therefore, at the
time the reactions of the audience would be extremely different than today’s modern
world. There would be an element of shock and possibly disturbance. However, in the
modern world today the reactions would be less surprised as the common themes of power
and influence by women run through the play. The purpose of Loevburg is to bring out a
different side of Hedda as they understand each other and share a special bond. Hedda is
seen to be disrespectful and harsh with Tesman but with Loevburg, she is seen to be more
attentive and thoughtful. The character of Loevborg at the time of writing could have been
seen as an alcoholic who took a wrong turn in his life and someone who is weak-willed or
has ‘a troubled soul’. I would interpret him as being a needy for example, he would have a
quivering tone and be very shaky with his body language from being hungover. Because of
these choices, I feel the audience will be able to witness the frail side of a strong and
successful man he was portrayed earlier in the play, which builds tension in my key
moments. The relationship between Hedda and loevborg is very imitate confidants and
comrades, but Hedda violently broke the relationship off when it threatened to become
sexual.
Loevburg was once a public outcast but has now returned to the city and has published a
book to rave reviews. He has another manuscript in which with the help of Mrs. Elvsted,
became even more promising. My key moments are based in the very end of the play where
Hedda and Loevborg are in the living room, where Hedda manipulates Loevburg and
encourages him to kill himself. He has now returned to the city and is in Hedda and
Tesman’s home after returning from a party where he got drunk. This is an iconic moment in
the play, it is the second time that the pistol is present with the two characters, it is also the
last time they see each other and bid their final goodbye. In my first key moment, my
objective is wanting to show Hedda reassurance. My tactic when saying the first line of
dialogue “i? through the streets? Do you want me to let people see her with me?” is to sit
down next to Hedda because a proximity would show that we have a close relationship and
would be something natural in our interaction as well as the amount of trust I have for
Hedda. My body language is very laid back, for example I will be lying on the coach with my
hands at the back of my head which can act like a cushion for my head, suggesting to the
audience I am either hangover or just exhausted. This also create a very clam and laid-back
atmosphere which will resonates with the audience. My eye contact will be very vague and
unfocused and blankly stare at random objects in the room. I speak in a quivering tone, to
also show my discomfort and anxiety when being alone in a room with Hedda. My
behaviour makes Hedda suspicious as nearly all her dialogues are questions or confirmation
of what I have just said. The audience would be able to see the extremely high levels of
tension between Hedda and I as she has a stronger tone in her voice while I say lines like “I
don’t know” or “but to kill a child isn’t the worse thing a father can do”. This impacts the
audience as we can see their relationship at this point in the play and how Hedda is
extremely controlling and manipulative over loevborg.
