Acts I & II

Pay close attention to the stage directions and scenery descriptions. Why are they so detailed? Why is this important? Do you notice any patterns? How does the wealth of information delivered apart from speech or dialogue contribute to an appreciation of the play? Why is the particular locale so important to the action and why does the playwright take such care to describe it?

There are a number of instances in the play in which characters say one thing when they mean another. Try to identify a few of these instances.

Why does Hedda continually describe her desire to see Lovborg with vine leaves in his hair?

Notice the different names by which characters address Hedda. What is the significance of these different names?