The Seagull

“I am in mourning for my life.” — Konstantin Treplev

Act 1

The play opens at Sorin’s country estate, where a makeshift stage has been set up for Konstantin Treplev’s experimental play. His mother, Irina Arkadina, a famous actress, and her lover, the celebrated writer Boris Trigorin, are among the audience. Konstantin’s play stars Nina Zarechnaya, a young woman he loves, but the performance is interrupted by Arkadina’s mocking remarks, humiliating Konstantin. The act introduces the central conflicts: Konstantin’s artistic struggle against traditional forms, his unrequited love for Nina, and his resentment toward Trigorin, who represents everything he despises in conventional art.

Act 2

Several days later, tensions rise as Nina becomes infatuated with Trigorin, ignoring Konstantin’s affections. Meanwhile, the estate’s doctor, Dorn, reflects on the melancholy lives of those around him. Masha, the estate manager’s daughter, confesses her unrequited love for Konstantin while rejecting the devoted schoolteacher Medvedenko. Trigorin, though initially indifferent, becomes intrigued by Nina’s admiration, foreshadowing a doomed romance. The act deepens the themes of unfulfilled desire and artistic disillusionment.

Act 3

Konstantin, devastated by Nina’s rejection, attempts suicide but survives. Arkadina and Trigorin prepare to leave the estate, though Trigorin hesitates, drawn to Nina. In a pivotal moment, Nina agrees to meet him in Moscow, sealing her tragic fate. Konstantin pleads with his mother for emotional support but is dismissed, reinforcing his isolation. The act highlights the destructive nature of ego and unattainable dreams.

Act 4

Two years later, the characters reunite at Sorin’s now-declining estate. Nina, having pursued Trigorin only to be abandoned, returns broken and disillusioned. Konstantin, now a published writer, remains tormented by his failures. After Nina leaves, he destroys his manuscripts and takes his own life offstage. The play ends with the characters oblivious to his death, underscoring the futility of their pursuits.

Key ideas

• The conflict between traditional and avant-garde art
• The destructive nature of unrequited love
• The fleeting nature of fame and success
• The isolation of the artist
• The cyclical despair of unfulfilled lives

Notable Adaptations