Peer Gynt

Henrik Johan Ibsen (1828-1906) was a major Norwegian playwright largely responsible for the rise of modern realistic drama. He is often referred to as the "father of modern drama." His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era. His work examined the realities that lay behind many facades, possessing a revelatory nature that was disquieting to many contemporaries. His first play, the tragedy Catilina (1850), was published under the pseudonym Brynjulf Bjarme, when he was only 22, but it was not performed. His play Brand (1865), was to bring him the critical acclaim he sought, along with a measure of financial success, as was his next play, Peer Gynt (1867). With success, Ibsen became more confident and began to introduce more and more his own beliefs and judgments into the drama, exploring what he termed the "drama of ideas." His other notable works include Love's Comedy (1862), A Doll's House (1879), Ghosts (1881), An Enemy of the People (1882), The Wild Duck (1884), Hedda Gabler (1890) and When We Dead Awaken (1899).