Henrik Ibsen
Список книг автора Henrik IbsenPeer Gynt
Born in Skien, Norway in 1828, Henrik Ibsen has often been referred to as the founder of modern drama and modernism in theatre. Ibsen was widely known as an atheist and political radical, and channeled some of those sentiments into his works. «Peer Gynt» captures humankind's unsure, imperfect and opportunistic nature in many memorable scenes: a portrait so intimate and accurate that the play has become a classic in Norwegian literature. This five act play was based on the Norwegian fairy tale, «Per Gynt», and broke down the structural barriers of Norwegian theatre, as Ibsen wrote the entire play in verse-form. «Peer Gynt» drifts between the conscious and unconscious, blending realism and folkloric fantasy. Ibsen used this play to satirize transcendentalist ideas, new and revolutionary at the time, that encouraged a return to nature and simplicity. A year after finishing this work, Ibsen suffered his first severe stroke, and never wrote again. This play was incredibly controversial at the time it was written, and holds true to its evocative nature today.
Ghosts
"Ghosts" is the story of Helen Alving, a widow who is haunted by the many mistresses of her deceased husband and by her son who has inherited syphilis from his philandering father. «Ghosts» is a scathing indictment of Victorian society in which Ibsen refutes the notion that if one simply fulfills one's duty rather than following one's desires then a good and noble life will be achieved. Scandalous in its day for its frank discussion of venereal disease and marriage infidelity, «Ghosts» remains to this day an intense psychological drama and sharp social criticism.
Love's Comedy
Henrik Ibsen's «Love's Comedy» is the story of two students, Falk and Lind, who go to stay at the country house of Mrs. Halm. Lind is interested in being a missionary while Falk's interests lie in poetry. While at the house of Mrs. Halm the two become romantically involved with her two daughters, Anna and Svanhild. Written in 1862, «Love's Comedy» is described as one of Ibsen's most poignant love stories.
The Master Builder
Written in 1892, later in Ibsen's life, «The Master Builder,» or «Bygmester Solness,» is a 3-act play that explores the conflicted thoughts and feelings of the hardened and powerful artist Halvard Solness. He is an older architect who painstakingly worked his way to professional distinction at the cost of his personal life. As he reflects on his career, Halvard is frustrated with his ambition and dreams of achieving genuine satisfaction in his life. At the same time, he fears being surpassed by a younger generation of talent, including by his own son, a younger member of the firm. A symbolic and semi-autobiographical play, «The Master Builder» portrays a creative man's confusion and downfall.
A Doll's House
"A Doll's House" is the story of Nora Helmer who has secretly borrowed a large sum of money to help her husband recover from a serious illness. Nora who has borrowed this money by forging her father's signature soon discovers the value of the relationship she has with her husband, Torvald, when he becomes the director of the bank that employs the man, Nils Krogstad, who has lent the money to Nora. When it is discovered that Nils has commited a forgery himself, Nils threatens to reveal Nora's secret to her husband if she does not convince Torvald to allow Nils to keep his position at the bank. «A Doll's House» is a gripping drama about a failing, loveless marriage.
The Lady From The Sea
Written in 1888, «The Lady from the Sea» is Henrik Ibsen's drama about a married couple, Ellida and Doctor Wangel. Doctor Wangel, a widower with two daughters, begins to notice Ellida, a much younger woman, becoming increasingly anxious and strange in her demeanor. Fearing a problem with her mental health he asks his former headmaster, Arnholm, to come for a visit in hopes that he may be able to help. It is soon discovered that Ellida was once engaged to a sailor and that he has returned. Henrik Ibsen's «The Lady from the Sea» is a classic tale of the conflicting demands that love can place on ones heart.
The League of Youth
"The League of Youth" is Henrik Ibsen's comedic play which is the story of Stensgaard, a charismatic would-be politician, who forms the 'League of Youth' party and attempts to get elected. The character of Stensgaard is supposedly based on writer Bjornstjerne Bjornson, a contemporary of Ibsen and political opposition leader. Praised for its witty dialogue and cynical humor, «The League of Youth» was one of Ibsen's most popular 19th century plays.
The Wild Duck
Henrik Ibsen's 1884 drama, «The Wild Duck», is the story of Gregers Werle, an idealist who returns to his hometown after some absence. While there he begins to meddle in the affairs of the Ekdals, an odd family that have constructed a strange way of living by ignoring the skeletons in their respective closets. The Ekdals escape the reality of their existence by the construction of various delusional fantasies. Gregers, who believes that the pursuit of the ideal demands the exposition of absolute truth, summons the Ekdals to expose for themselves the truth that is hiding behind the facade of their lies. In so doing, a tragic unraveling of the very fabric of the Ekdals lives occurs in classic Ibsen fashion.
The Vikings at Helgeland
Henrik Ibsen wrote the following of his 1857 drama, 'The Vikings at Helgeland': «It was in the Icelandic family sagas that I found, in full measure, what I needed of human covering for the moods, ideas and thoughts of which I was full at that time, or of which I had at any rate a more or less clear idea. Up till then I had been ignorant, indeed hardly heard of, these ancient Nordic literary contributions to the history of the people of our saga times. By chance I got hold of N. M. Petersen's excellent translation – excellent at least as regards the tone of the language. In these family chronicles with their various relationships and episodes between man and woman, woman and woman, altogether between human being and human being, I was met by lives of personal, rich, living content; and it was in living together with all these single, individual, personal women and men that the first raw, vague draft of 'The Vikings at Helgeland' arose.»
Hedda Gabler
"Hedda Gabler" is one of Henrik Ibsen's greatest dramas. It is the story of its title character, Hedda, a self-centered manipulative woman who has grown tired of her marriage. To escape her boredom she begins to meddle in the lives of others with truly tragic results. Ibsen's «Hedda Gabler» is a monumental achievement in dramatic tragedy.