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Henrik Ibsen: The Man and the Mask

Ken Simmons

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Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright who is considered one of the founders of modern drama. His plays are often characterized by their realism, their psychological depth, and their exploration of social issues.

Henrik Ibsen: The Man and the Mask

by Jordan Goldman ACE

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Language	:	English
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Ibsen was born in Skien, Norway, in 1828. His father was a successful merchant, but the family fell on hard times when Ibsen was a child. Ibsen was forced to leave school at the age of 15 and work as an apprentice in a pharmacy. He later worked as a journalist and a theater critic.

Ibsen's first play, Catiline, was published in 1850. The play was not a success, but it did catch the attention of the Norwegian theater director Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. Bjørnson encouraged Ibsen to continue writing, and he helped to get Ibsen's plays produced.

Ibsen's early plays were mostly historical dramas. However, in the 1870s, he began to write more realistic plays that dealt with contemporary social issues. These plays include A Doll's House (1879),Ghosts (1881),and Hedda Gabler (1890).

Ibsen's plays were often controversial. A Doll's House, for example, was criticized for its portrayal of a woman who leaves her husband and children to pursue her own happiness. However, Ibsen's plays also had a profound impact on the development of modern drama. His realism and his exploration of social issues helped to make drama a more powerful and relevant art form.

Ibsen died in Oslo, Norway, in 1906. He is considered one of the most important playwrights in history, and his plays continue to be performed and studied around the world.

Ibsen's Plays

Ibsen wrote over 25 plays, including:

Catiline (1850)
The Vikings at Helgeland (1858)
Brand (1866)
Peer Gynt (1867)
The Emperor and the Galilean (1873)
A Doll's House (1879)
Ghosts (1881)
An Enemy of the People (1882)
The Wild Duck (1884)
Rosmersholm (1886)
The Lady from the Sea (1888)
Hedda Gabler (1890)
The Master Builder (1892)
Little Eyolf (1894)
John Gabriel Borkman (1896)
When We Dead Awaken (1899)

Ibsen's Legacy

Ibsen's plays have had a profound impact on the development of modern drama. His realism and his exploration of social issues helped to make drama a more powerful and relevant art form.

Ibsen's plays continue to be performed and studied around the world. He is considered one of the most important playwrights in history, and his work has inspired generations of playwrights, actors, and directors.