Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen (20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is considered one of the most important figures in Scandinavian literature.

Early Life and Education

Henrik Ibsen was born in Skien, Norway, on 20 March 1828. He was the son of Knud Ibsen, a wealthy merchant, and Marichen Altenburg Ibsen. Ibsen's father died when he was five years old, and he was raised by his mother and his grandmother.

Ibsen received a good education, attending the Latin School in Skien and the University of Oslo. He studied law at the university, but he soon abandoned his studies to pursue a career in writing.

Literary Career

Ibsen began his literary career as a poet, and his first published work was a collection of poems titled Crisis (1850). He also wrote several plays, including Catiline (1850) and The Burial of the Rat (1850).

In 1851, Ibsen was appointed director of the Norwegian Theatre in Bergen. He held this position for six years, during which time he wrote several more plays, including The Pretenders (1857) and Brand (1866).

In 1864, Ibsen moved to Italy, where he lived for the next twenty years. During this time, he wrote some of his most famous plays, including Peer Gynt (1867), The Wild Duck (1884), and A Doll's House (1879).

In 1891, Ibsen returned to Norway, where he lived for the rest of his life. He continued to write plays, including Hedda Gabler (1890), The Master Builder (1892), and When We Dead Awaken (1899).

Ibsen's Plays

Ibsen's plays are characterized by their realism, their psychological insight, and their exploration of social and moral issues. He is often credited with creating the modern realistic drama, and his plays have had a profound influence on subsequent generations of playwrights.

Some of Ibsen's most famous plays include:

• Peer Gynt (1867): A folktale about a young man who sets out on a journey of self-discovery.
• The Wild Duck (1884): A play about a family whose lives are shattered by a lie.
• A Doll's House (1879): A play about a woman who leaves her husband and children in search of independence.
• Hedda Gabler (1890): A play about a woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage.
• The Master Builder (1892): A play about an architect who is haunted by his past.
• When We Dead Awaken (1899): A play about a group of people who are trapped in a cycle of repetition.

Legacy

Henrik Ibsen is considered one of the most important figures in Scandinavian literature. His plays have been translated into over 100 languages and have been performed all over the world. Ibsen's work has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of playwrights, and he is often credited with creating the modern realistic drama.

Quotes

• "The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone."
• "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge."
• "The individual is capable of great things, but he is also capable of great evil."
• "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."
• "The truth will out."