How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used R. Farquharson Sharp's translation.
Quote #10
Hovstad: "It is a natural law; every animal must fight for its own livelihood."
Aslaksen: "And get its food where it can, you know."
Dr. Stockmann: "Then you go and look for yours in the gutter; because I am going to show you which is the strongest animal of us three!" (5.239-241)
All the subtle power plays that have been driving the play have descended into chaos. When Hovstad and Aslaksen mistakenly think the Doctor's whole crusaded has been about trying to gain control of the Baths, they attempt to get in on it. The Doctor has been backed into a corner by the powers that be one too many times, and seizes control the only way he has left: brute force.