Existentialism Paper 1

Q. Is Hedda Gabler an “existential” play? Discuss the pros and cons.

  1. Impossibility of expression and subjectivity, Kierkegaard
  2. Boredom & Alienation, via the Underground man
  3. Desire, Life-energy and Dionysus, Hedda the bird of prey

Alienation as

  1. Not misunderstanding, but “talking past each other”
  2. As using one as a means to an end