Wild Duck Journal 5

When looking at The Wild Duck  in a broad view, it is clear that it is a tragedy. The definition of tragedy includes the requirement that the play must evoke pity on fear on behalf of the audience. Also, there is a large internal conflict taking place during the play in  Hedvig's father who does not know whether his daughter is his or not. His struggle with his beliefs and loyalties is the main internal struggle. The Wild Duck meets these requirements. The audience feels pity for Hedvig and fears for her well-being; there is also an internal conflict. In that case, yes, The Wild Duck is a tragedy. However, The Wild Duck lacks a tragic hero. Hedvig, who dies does not do anything spectacularly heroic in the play like, for example, Antigone does in Anouilh's Antigone. The argument can go both ways for whether The Wild Duck is or is not a tragedy. I believe that Ibsen left that up to the reader to decide. It is my opinion that yes, The Wild Duck is a tragedy, however, that opinion is ultimately left to the reader or viewer.