Is Hedda Gabler a Tragedy?

The first 200 words of this essay...

Is Hedda Gabler a Tragedy?

The main problem in answering this question lies within the definition of the dramatic tragedy itself. Aristotle's discussion in 'Poetics' defines it as 'a form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear...presenting a reversal of fortune'. Certainly the play Hedda Gabler can be interpreted so that it fits this description: we could feel sympathy for Hedda because she is trapped in unwanted social position, and there is a definite reversal of fortune at the end of the play. From the text, however, I personally feel little pity for Hedda. Her ideal of a beautiful, aesthetic existence is noble and heroic, but she is also driven by the idea that she can change people into her way of thinking, which leads to her viciousness and heartlessness. Without going into too much detail about Hedda as a character, I think this conflict causes us to think that her demise and suicide is inevitable and justified. The Aristotelian definition, I think, is somewhat of a generalisation: just because a play ends on a low note does not mean it is a tragedy. However, there are some definite aspects of play that can be identified as being