Hedda Gabler quotes

Why, of course! I meant Thea. Looks at her compassionately. So you are not accustomed to goodness and kindness, Thea? Not in your own home?

Oh, if I only had a home! But I haven’t any; I have never had a home.

Looks at her for a moment. I almost suspected as much.

Tesman is—a specialist, my dear Judge.

And specialists are not at all amusing to travel with. Not in the long run at any rate.

Not even—the specialist one happens to love?

Jestingly.

Oh, I assure you I have never cherished any hopes with respect to you.

All I require is a pleasant and intimate interior, where I can make myself useful in every way, and am free to come and go as—as a trusted friend—

Laughing. No, I think it must be a legacy from the late Mrs. Secretary Falk.

Yes, there is an odour of mortality about it.

It reminds me of a bouquet—the day after the ball. Clasps her hands behind her head, leans back in her chair and looks at him. Oh, my dear Judge—you cannot imagine how horribly I shall bore myself here.

Stands looking out.

Boring myself to death. Now you know it.

Turns, looks towards the inner room, and laughs. Yes, as I thought! Here comes the Professor.

Clenches his hands. Oh, why did you not carry out your threat? Why did you not shoot me down?

Because I have such a dread of scandal.

Yes, Hedda, you are a coward at heart.

What then? What do you mean?

Then life would perhaps be liveable, after all.

With a sudden change of tone. But now, my dearest Thea, you really must have a glass of cold punch.

Yes, I have.

I want for once in my life to have power to mould a human destiny.

Have you not the power?

Rises and says wearily, repelling the idea. No, no don’t ask me.

I will not look upon sickness and death. I loathe all sorts of ugliness.

Well, well, then—! Bustling around. My hat—? My overcoat—? Oh, in the hall—. I do hope I mayn’t come too late, Hedda! Eh?

Rising. Oh, not at all!

The triangle, you know, ought, if possible, to be spontaneously constructed.

There I agree with you.

In the doorway, laughing to her.

Oh, people don’t shoot their tame poultry, I fancy.

Also laughing. Oh no, when there is only one cock in the basket—

Wringing her hands. Oh God—oh God, Hedda—torn his own work to pieces!

I have torn my own life to pieces.

So why should I not tear my lifework too—?

Well—but when all is said and done, you know—this was only a book—

Thea’s pure soul was in that book.

And you can understand, too, that for her and me together no future is possible.

Looks up at him with an expression of loathing. That too!

Oh, what curse is it that makes everything I touch turn ludicrous and mean?

There is one point more, Mrs. Hedda—another disagreeable feature in the affair.