Macbeth vs Hedda Gabler

Discussion 3

Both the plays, Macbeth and Hedda Gabler, focus a lot of attention on the relationship between husband and wife. Although there are a few similarities, Shakespeare and Ibsen have portrayed these two couples to have a completely different relationships and connection.

It is apparent that the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is built on love. Lady Macbeth is encouraging and supportive to Macbeth. She helps him and they develop a plan together to help Macbeth to become King by killing him “when Duncan is asleep” (Hylton). Lady Macbeth is convincing and encouraging to Macbeth. After the execution of their plan, Lady Macbeth feels the guilt along with Macbeth for the death of King Duncan. She begins to have nightmares and sleepwalks as she starts to believe that “the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures: ‘tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil” (Hylton). It’s obvious that the couple works together and supports each other through the good and the bad. After they’ve come up with a plan, they are both motivated. After the death of Duncan, Lady Macbeth feels that the death is on her hands even though she did not actually kill Duncan. As a result, she develops a mental illness and commits suicide. Macbeth shows his true love for Lady Macbeth as he mourns for the death of his wife. Macbeth expresses his deep sadness for the death of his wife and expresses “all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more” (Hylton).

The relationship between Jürgen and Hedda is evident that it is not built on love. Hedda was born into aristocracy, which made her enjoy the luxuries of life. She was unappreciative to the things that her husband worked hard to get her, such as their house which “he was bent, at all hazards, on being allowed to provide for” (Ibsen) Hedda. Jürgen tries to seek...