Hjalmar Ekdal

Hjalmar Ekdal is a photographer who was set up in business by Werle, his father's former partner, after Hjalmar's father was imprisoned for fraud. Werle provided him with a room in a house run by Gina Hansen's mother. Gina, who later becomes his wife, helps Hjalmar with his photography business. They have a daughter, Hedvig, who is Hjalmar’s greatest joy. While Hjalmar is content with his life, believing Werle's aid is due to the friendship between him and Werle's son, Gregers, he is also preoccupied with an invention he hopes will restore his family's lost glory. However, his ambitions remain unfulfilled fantasies, as he has yet to make any real progress.

Hjalmar’s life takes a tragic turn when Gregers reveals the truth about Gina’s past with Werle. This revelation shatters his happiness, as Gina’s uncertainty about Hedvig’s paternity causes him to distance himself from the child. Despite his grief over Hedvig's death, Relling, a doctor who has known Hjalmar since college, claims that Hjalmar's sorrow is superficial and will soon be replaced by sentimental poetry about his daughter.

Gregers Werle

Gregers Werle, a disillusioned idealist, is the son of the industrialist Werle. Deeply affected by his mother's hatred of his father, Gregers has spent fifteen years away from home. Upon returning, he discovers that his father tricked Hjalmar into marrying Gina and caring for Hedvig, potentially Werle's child. Gregers believes in the power of truth and seeks to liberate Hjalmar from his "life-lie," expecting the truth to bring happiness. However, his interference causes more harm than good, leading to Hedvig's tragic death. Despite this, Gregers consoles himself with the belief that her death ennobled Hjalmar.

Old Werle

Old Werle is a merchant and manufacturer, acquitted of the map fraud that led to Old Ekdal's imprisonment. He continues to support the Ekdal family financially, seemingly out of conscience. Although he provides for them, his actions place them in vulnerable positions. He plans to marry Mrs. Sorby, his housekeeper, and promises a lifelong financial provision for Hedvig and Old Ekdal. Despite the troubles his son Gregers causes, Werle attempts to maintain ties and even offers Gregers a partnership in his business.

Gina Ekdal

Gina Ekdal is Hjalmar's wife, a practical and hard-working woman with a straightforward nature. She manages the household and supports Hjalmar's photography business. Despite her lower social standing, evidenced by her grammatical errors, she is more competent and realistic than her husband. Gina married Hjalmar out of love and strives to protect her family, shielding Hjalmar from unpleasant truths. When Gregers arrives, she instinctively senses the potential disruption he brings. After Hedvig’s tragic death, Gina comforts Hjalmar, her resilience and unflappable nature guiding her through the crisis.

Hedvig Ekdal

Fourteen-year-old Hedvig Ekdal is a sensitive and intelligent girl, hindered by poor eyesight that keeps her out of school. She is deeply devoted to her father, Hjalmar, and harbors a love for her pet wild duck. When Gregers persuades her that sacrificing the duck might win her father's approval, she takes drastic action, leading to her own death. Her understanding of Gregers's symbolic language and her desire to prove her love highlight her maturity. Her death, resulting from a misunderstood attempt to please her father, underscores the tragic consequences of adult deception.

Old Ekdal

Old Ekdal, Hjalmar’s father, was once a partner of Werle but was disgraced and imprisoned for illegally cutting down trees. After his release, he returned to live with Hjalmar and works for Werle, copying documents. Old Ekdal has retreated into a fantasy world in the attic, where he hunts rabbits, which he imagines as...