Tesman is an industrious pedant who cannot cater to Hedda's emotional or psychological needs. He is rooted in the past and researches dead subjects like the "Domestic Industries of Brabant in the Middle Ages." Though unimaginative and unoriginal, Tesman is steady and hard working. These are the very qualities needed to put Lövborg's books together.

Lövborg is intemperate and unconventional in his ways --a man of genius and passion. He has taken to drinking excessively and is facing disgrace because of it. However, his new book deals with the future and its problems. Ironically, he cannot foresee his future nor can he prevent regressing to his former debauched state once he meets up with Hedda again. He was attracted by Hedda's "craving for life" and is idealized by her. He is erratic and unsteady in his creativity and cannot carry on his work with the assistance of Mrs. Elvsted.

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