The Relationship Between Performativity of Masculinity and Tragedy in Ibsen’s Selected Plays

Abstract

This research aims at examining the performativity of masculinity in Ibsen’s plays: A Doll’s House (1879) and Hedda Gabler (1891), with its relation to the tragic fate of men. The textual analysis method along with the theoretical framework of masculinity has been used to conduct this research. Raewyn Connell’s Masculinities (1993) and Judith Butler’s Performative Acts and Gender Constitution (1988) serve as secondary texts. The main focus of the research is the male characters: Torvlad Helmer of A Doll’s House and Jörgen Tesman of Hedda Gabler. By critically analyzing the texts of the plays, this study contends that the male figures of the selected plays are capable of being regarded as the tragic heroes, who meet their tragic ends in an attempt to perform masculinity. Moreover, it is demonstrated that hegemonic masculine culture, whether it is authoritarian masculinity of Torvald or feminine masculinity of Tesman, brings catastrophe not only upon male figures but their partners as well. Hence, Torvald’s tragedy lies in his adherence to the society’s patriarchal code of conduct and Tesman’s tragic flaw is his failure to meet society’s expectations of masculine performativity.