Previous
Mrs. Thea Elvsted
Judge Brack is a shrewd and respected man in society, a cynical old bachelor, and a regular guest at the Tesmans’ villa. He is a gentleman of 45, stocky and elastic in his movements, with short, almost black hair and lively, playful eyes. He takes pleasure in having a hand in other people’s business, as when he arranges the Tesmans’ finances and delivers professional news to Tesman himself. However, it is the mistress of the house, Hedda, with whom Brack especially seeks intimacy. The two deviously gossip together, but underneath their superficialities a campaign of control is being waged: Brack again and again obliquely propositions Hedda, and she again and again evades him. Their games of sexual innuendo, veiled threats, and a shared world-weariness provide both with a reprieve from the stale monotony of their lives. In the end, however, Judge Brack at last gets the upper hand over Hedda—but Hedda surprises him by doing the unthinkable.
Judge Brack Quotes in Hedda Gabler
The Hedda Gabler quotes below are all either spoken by Judge Brack or refer to Judge Brack. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2
Quotes
Hedda: Hullo again, Mr. Brack!
Brack: Good afternoon to you, Mrs. Tesman!
Hedda: I’m going to shoot you sir!
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Brack: But my dearest lady, how could you do such a thing! To that harmless old soul!
Hedda: Oh, you know how it is…these things just suddenly come over me. And then I can’t resist them. Oh, I don’t know myself how to explain it.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Hedda: I’ve often thought there’s only one thing in the world I’m any good at.
Brack: And what might that be, may I venture to ask?
Hedda: Boring myself to death.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 3
Quotes
Hedda: You’re quite a formidable person…when it comes to the point.
Brack: You think so?
Hedda: Yes, I’m beginning to think so, now. And I’m content…so long as you don’t have any sort of hold over me.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 4
Quotes
Hedda: He was shot in the breast?
Brack: Yes…as I said.
Hedda: Not in the temple?
Brack: In the breast, Mrs. Tesman.
Hedda: Well…the breast is good, too.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Hedda: And so I am in your power, Mr. Brack. From now on I am at your mercy.
Brack: Dearest Hedda…believe me…I shall not abuse the position.
Hedda: In your power, all the same. Subject to your will and your demands. No longer free! No! That’s a thought that I’ll never endure! Never.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Hedda Gabler LitChart as a printable PDF.
Judge Brack Quotes in Hedda Gabler
The Hedda Gabler quotes below are all either spoken by Judge Brack or refer to Judge Brack. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2
Quotes
Hedda: Hullo again, Mr. Brack!
Brack: Good afternoon to you, Mrs. Tesman!
Hedda: I’m going to shoot you sir!
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Brack: But my dearest lady, how could you do such a thing! To that harmless old soul!
Hedda: Oh, you know how it is…these things just suddenly come over me. And then I can’t resist them. Oh, I don’t know myself how to explain it.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Hedda: I’ve often thought there’s only one thing in the world I’m any good at.
Brack: And what might that be, may I venture to ask?
Hedda: Boring myself to death.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 3
Quotes
Hedda: You’re quite a formidable person…when it comes to the point.
Brack: You think so?
Hedda: Yes, I’m beginning to think so, now. And I’m content…so long as you don’t have any sort of hold over me.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 4
Quotes
Hedda: He was shot in the breast?
Brack: Yes…as I said.
Hedda: Not in the temple?
Brack: In the breast, Mrs. Tesman.
Hedda: Well…the breast is good, too.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Hedda: And so I am in your power, Mr. Brack. From now on I am at your mercy.
Brack: Dearest Hedda…believe me…I shall not abuse the position.
Hedda: In your power, all the same. Subject to your will and your demands. No longer free! No! That’s a thought that I’ll never endure! Never.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
