Henrik Ibsen

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Henrik Ibsen

Name	Henrik Ibsen
Birth name
Birth date	March 20, 1828
Birth place	Skien, Norway
Death date	May 23, 1906
Death place	Kristiania, Norway
Alma mater
Occupation	Playwright, Theatre Director, Poet
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works	A Doll's House, Hedda Gabler, Peer Gynt, Ghosts
Spouse(s)
Website

Henrik Johan Ibsen (March 20, 1828 – May 23, 1906) was a Norwegian playwright and theatre director. Often referred to as "the father of modern drama," Ibsen is one of the founders of Modernism in theatre. His works are known for their critical examination of the social issues of his time, and he is considered one of the greatest playwrights in the history of theatre.

Early Life

Henrik Ibsen was born in the small port town of Skien in Telemark, Norway. He was the eldest of five children born to Knud Ibsen and Marichen Altenburg. His family was part of the merchant class, but they faced financial difficulties when Ibsen was a child, which influenced his later works.

Career

Ibsen's early career was marked by his work in the theatre as a director and playwright. He moved to Bergen in 1851, where he worked at the Det Norske Theater as a stage manager and writer. His early plays were not successful, but they provided him with valuable experience in the theatre.

In 1864, Ibsen left Norway and spent the next 27 years living in Italy and Germany. During this period, he wrote many of his most famous works, including Brand (1865), Peer Gynt (1867), and A Doll's House (1879). A Doll's House was particularly groundbreaking for its critical view of marriage norms and its portrayal of a woman's struggle for independence.

Major Works

Ibsen's major works include:

• A Doll's House (1879) - A play that challenged the traditional roles of men and women in marriage.
• Ghosts (1881) - A controversial play that dealt with themes of inherited disease and moral hypocrisy.
• An Enemy of the People (1882) - A play about the conflict between the individual and society.
• Hedda Gabler (1890) - A psychological drama about a woman trapped in a loveless marriage.
• The Master Builder (1892) - A play exploring ambition and the destructive nature of obsession.

Themes and Style

Ibsen's plays often explore themes of individual freedom, societal norms, and the conflict between personal desires and social expectations. His realistic style and focus on psychological depth were innovative for his time and have influenced countless playwrights and authors.

Legacy

Henrik Ibsen's influence on modern drama is profound. His works are still widely performed and studied, and they continue to resonate with audiences around the world. Ibsen's exploration of social issues and human psychology paved the way for later playwrights such as George Bernard Shaw and Arthur Miller.

Also see

• Norwegian literature
• Modernism
• Realism (theatre)
• George Bernard Shaw
• August Strindberg