Summary
Highlights
Hedda receives flowers from Mrs. Elvsted, an old acquaintance and former lover of Eilert Lövborg. Mrs. Elvsted arrives distressed, seeking George's help because Lövborg is back in town and she fears for his sobriety and well-being. She reveals Lövborg has published a new, successful book and was tutoring her children, leading to her leaving her husband to follow him. Hedda, feigning disinterest, becomes intrigued by the idea of influencing Lövborg's destiny.
Hedda and George Tesman return from their honeymoon. Aunt Julie expresses her joy at George's achievements, including his doctorate, and reveals she mortgaged her pension to help them buy their new house. Hedda appears distant and unimpressed by the domestic bliss, making a snide comment about Aunt Julie's hat, which George dismisses as typical Hedda behavior.
Judge Brack visits and informs George that his professorship is not guaranteed and he will have to compete with Eilert Lövborg for the position. This news deeply upsets George, but Hedda finds it amusing. After George leaves, Hedda expresses her profound boredom with her domestic life and her new marriage, revealing she married George out of a lack of options and the desire for a lavish lifestyle. She still longs for excitement and influence, particularly over Lövborg, and contemplates shooting her pistols as a means to alleviate her boredom.
Lövborg arrives at Hedda's house, and the atmosphere becomes tense. Lövborg reveals he has written a new manuscript, even more significant than his published book, which he intends to read to George. Judge Brack invites Lövborg to his bachelor party, suggesting he bring his manuscript along. Reluctantly, and with Hedda's subtle encouragement, Lövborg agrees to go, despite Mrs. Elvsted's pleas for him to stay sober and Hedda's apparent trust in his self-control.
The next morning, George returns, recounting the wild party at Judge Brack's where Lövborg became heavily intoxicated. George reveals he found Lövborg's precious manuscript, which Lövborg unknowingly lost, and he intends to return it once Lövborg is sober. Hedda is horrified, but then a new letter arrives from Aunt Julie, announcing Aunt Rina's death. George rushes off to see Aunt Julie, leaving Hedda alone with the manuscript.
Lövborg arrives, distraught, believing he has destroyed his manuscript and speaking of suicide, equating the manuscript with his 'child.' Hedda, in a fit of jealousy and a desire to control his destiny, feigns sympathy and tells him to 'do it beautifully.' After Lövborg leaves, Hedda throws the manuscript into the fire, explaining to Mrs. Elvsted that she is burning 'our child.' George returns, revealing Lövborg has been taken to the hospital dying from a gunshot wound. Judge Brack arrives and clarifies that Lövborg shot himself, aiming for his heart, but the bullet struck his groin.
Judge Brack reveals the pistol used by Lövborg is Hedda's. He implies that if this information becomes public, it could lead to scandal and social ruin for Hedda and George. Hedda realizes she is now in Brack's power. George and Mrs. Elvsted decide to reconstruct Lövborg's manuscript from his notes. Hedda, left alone, plays the piano. George tells her to stop, reminding her of the deaths. Hedda then shoots herself in the temple.