View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Act 3, after Brack leaves, what does Hedda do?

2. After Mrs Elvsted arrives, what does Lovborg talk about?

3. How does Hedda imagine Lovborg when he returns?

4. What does Hedda refer to when she says someone has 'vine leaves in their hair'?

5. What does Lovborg ask Hedda while they are alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the play HEDDA GABLER there are two sets of characters that contrast each other. We see Hedda contrasted to Mrs. Elvsted and Tesman to Lovborg. In each case the outside character embodies something that our main character is jealous of.

Part 1: Hedda longs for influence over Lovborg and is intensely jealous of Mrs. Elvsted's success in reforming him. In what very crucial ways is Hedda unlike Mrs Elvsted, and how does this limit her?

Why does Hedda long for influence over Lovborg but not over Tesman? Is Hedda more akin to Tesman or to Lovborg? Do you think Mrs. Elvsted will feel the same way?

Part 2: Tesman is jealous of Lovborg's intellect and ability to write. How are Tesman's and Lovborg's academic works different? Are Tesman and Lovborg competing for the same things with their books, or do they value different consequences of their work?

Part 3: Do Tesman and Hedda handle their jealousy differently? How? What affect does their jealousy have on those around them?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that discusses the challenges of changing the setting of a play.

Part 1: What options does someone have if they choose to retell a play in a different setting? What things can be changed and the play still stay recognizable? What is important to keep in tact?

Part 2: Bring up some examples of literature or theatrical works that have been retold in a modernized or alternative way. How successful have they been? What have they changed and what have they kept? Were they more or less effective than the traditional version? Why?

Part 3: In your mind, are there benefits or detriments to this practice? Is it bringing classical stories to the masses and giving them fresh life or is it vandalizing something beautiful?

Essay Topic 3

Write a full analysis comparing and contrasting the two characters of Tesman and Lovborg.

Part 1: Compare and contrast their abilities, their weaknesses, their strengths, their motives and other attributes of the two characters. Discuss both their personal and professional aptitudes.

Part 2: What point do you think the author was trying to make by contrasting them?

Part 3: The character Hedda is clearly the center of the play and these two men act as a way for us to see more about Hedda. What does each one tell us about her? How do they each shed light on the nuances of her character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 584 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample