Ibsen said about the main character: "Hedda's fundamental demand is: I want to know everything but keep myself untainted". To what extent do you agree with Ibsen's words about Hedda?

Agree:

Natural human behaviour - to be selfish

Hedda lived a very mundane lifestyle, same actions everyday as a housewife

Finds interest and entertainment in the dramas of other’s lives

Hedda wants to be involved in everything, but as long as she’s not affected by it, it's good for her

Agree examples

Manipulating Eilert, eventually leading to his suicide

Her control over Mrs. Elvsted. Wants to be above her to show her dominance, but her troubles are her troubles

Hedda wants to be involved in professorship, but does not show her full support towards her husband

Disagree examples

Hedda demonstrates her frustrations as Tesman continues to talk about his professorship and books after her conversation with Judge Brack

She’s only labelled as Tesman’s wife or a potential mother, while she wants to be herself and live her own exciting life, with or without Tesman

She never leaves the house, as if she was a prisoner - symbolising the lack of attention one gets as a prisoner

Disagree

Hedda fundamental demand is for attention

Would this all have happened if Tesman simply gave her the attention she needed, or the attention any significant other deserves?

The lack of intimacy between the relationship, which was portrayed at first as a result of Tesman’s over-dedication towards his academic life

Hedda didn’t feel trap with Tesman because he was a “bad” person, or the antagonist of the play, he was a very generous person, but could not understand that Hedda needed more attention than simple talks about the professorship or his academic achievements

She never wanted to “know everything”, she wanted to be involved to keep herself entertained through the dramas of other’s relationships