About the work
The Bear is a one-act play by Anton Chekhov, which he himself called a "joke." It was written in 1888 and premiered on 28 October 1888 at the Korsh Theatre in Moscow.
Plot
The widowed landowner Popova is mourning her late husband in strict seclusion when the brusque neighbour Smirnov arrives to collect a debt owed by her husband. Their fierce quarrel escalates into a demand for a duel; as Smirnov shows her how to handle a pistol, his anger turns into passion.
Cultural significance
Drawing on the ancient tale of the Widow of Ephesus, the one-act play became one of Chekhov's most successful stage works during his lifetime and remains a popular repertoire piece internationally today.