Since Hedda Gabler exploded on to European and American stages in the 1890s, the play and its title character have troubled and transfixed audiences, performers and critics the world over. In this sourcebook, Christopher Innes balances essential reprinted texts with clear, incisive commentary to:

*set the play within the contexts of Norwegian nationalism, the women's movement and the cultural movement of Naturalism

*examine and emphasize the links between the performance and criticism of the play, from 1890 to the present

*offer the ideal guide to key passages in the play, showing how a knowledge of the play's contexts, performance history and critical fortunes can give rise to exciting new readings of the text

*prepare readers for further study of the play, with suggestions for reading on specific issues of interest.

No student should be without this guide as they enter the fascinating world of Hedda Gabler, Henrik Ibsen and Naturalist theater.