-
The Father's Parents
Henrik was born to Knud Ibsen, who was born in Skien Municipality, Norway, on Oct 3rd, 1797, and died in the same city and country, on Oct 24th, 1877. Henrik was also born to Marichen Altenburg, born on Nov 24th, 1799, in Skien Municipality, Norway, and died on Jun 3rd, 1869, in the same city and country as well. They gave birth to a total of 6 children, including Henrik himself. Both parents were also inspirations to many of Henrik's characters within his plays and shows. -
Ibsen's Siblings
Henrik was born in a family of 8, 6 children and 2 adults. He was the second oldest sibling among the following: Johan Andreas Ibsen (1826 - 1828), himself, Johan Andreas Ibsen (Mar 17th, 1830 - 1850), Hedvig Ibsen (Nov 15th, 1831 - Jun 15th, 1920), Nicolai Alexander Ibsen (1834 - 1888), and Ole Paus Ibsen (Dec 19th, 1835 - Feb 11th, 1917). -
The Birth of Reality's Father
Henrik Ibsen was born in Skien Municipality, Norway, on March 20th, 1828. -
Catiline
Catiline was Henrik's first ever play, a writing piece he was working on dating back to when he was about 15 years of age. It was written in the winter between 1848 and 1849, and was first performed under his name on the 3rd of Dec, 1881, at the Nya Teatern, Stockholm Sweden. The play's main character was based off of the historical figure Catiline, and is about Roman Lucius Catilina, who is torn between two women, his wife Aurelia and the Vestal virgin Furia, who was a beta for new characters. -
Henrik's Educational Background
At age 15, Ibsen had left his private school because his father had made the mistake of going bankrupt, so they could no longer pay for Ibsen's private schooling. He decided to work as an apothecary's apprentice, then decided to try and sit for exams to enter the University of Christiana, but later dropped that to focus on his writing. -
Henrik's Inspirations
Ibsen was inspired by a range of people, from his own parents to famous Norwegian author Henrik Wergeland, he was inspired by many people to create his writings and plays. His parents were inspirations and models for some of his characters, and he was inspired by Peer Gynt as well as the Norwegian folk tales collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. He was also influenced by English playwright William Shakespeare. -
Olaf Lilijekrans
Olaf Lilijekrans was a play published in 1856, and marked a steering point in the genres Henrik wanted to explore. This play was more satirical than The Feast at Solhoug, and explored themes of idealism vs realism, which would be a reoccurring theme in later plays. The story follows the titular character, Olaf, who is the son of a wealthy family and runs away to escape a marriage of convenience with Alfhild, who leaves her family to join him. Olaf's bride-to-be elopes with her servant however. -
The Spouse
In Herøy Municipality, Norway, on Jun 26th, 1836, Ibsen's wife Suzannah Ibsen was born. The two officially married on 1858, and lasted until Henrik's death. She passed in Oslo, Norway, on Apr 3rd, 1914. -
The Father's Child
Henrik and Suzannah had a child by the name of Sigurd Ibsen, who was born in Oslo, Norway, on Dec 23rd, 1859. He received a doctorate in law at the Sapienza University of Rome in 1882. He founded a magazine named Ringeren, which talked about the changing roles in monarchy and republicanism. He was then appointed to position of Prime Minister of Stockholm and Norway at Henrik's request so he would stay a Norwegian citizen. -
Love's Comedy
Just as the name suggests, this play was written and performed under the genre of comedy, published by father Ibsen on December 31st, 1872. At first, due to the press branding this production as immoral, the Christiana Theatre wouldn't show it at first. The play follows two students--Falk and Lind--are staying at a country house owned by Mrs. Halm, seducing her daughters Anna and Svalhild. Lind wants to be a missionary, and Falk wants to be a poet. Falk dives into reality more than Lind. -
Peer Gynt
Peer Gynt is one of the more longer and more commonly acted Norwegian plays, taking place in a total of 5 acts all together. The story follows Peer Gynt, son of the once-highly thought of Jon Gynt, who spent all his money on feasting and living lavishly and left his farm to his wife and son. He became a wandering salesman as Peer and his mother Åse fall into a sum of debt. It was regarded as a stylistic minefield by Klaus van den Burg. The play was premiered on Feb 24th, 1876, in Christiana. -
The Pillars of Society
Within writing this play, Henrik ran into some trouble trying to figure out how he was going to write it. The ending is the most criticized of the play, because even though Bernick was guilty, he got away, which is how this play perfectly summarizes that the rich and powerful are often corrupt and selfish. The story follows Karsten Bernick, who is a dominant businessman located in a small coastal town. His past is brought up to him after his brother returns to town after 15 years and he spirals. -
A Doll's House
A Doll's House was a three act play that premiered at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Dec 21st 1879. The play is about the fate of a married woman, who, at the time in Norway, lacked reasonable opportunities for self-fulfillment in a male-dominated world. Despite Henrik saying he wasn't meaning to write a feminist play, a lot of people had commemorated the play, and it had also sparked an outrage of controversy that flew into newspapers and other parts of society. -
An Enemy of the People
This play is a follow up of one of Ibsen's previous plays named Ghosts, which criticizes his society's moral code. Ibsen and Ghosts were both deemed degenerate, scandalous, and immoral because of this. In this play, it follows the story of Dr. Thomas Stockmann, who tries to expose an unpalatable truth publicly and is punished for such actions. -
Hedda Gabler
Hedda Gabler has been canonized as a masterpiece within the genres of literary realism, nineteenth century theatre, and world drama. The play dramatizes the experiences of Hedda, daughter of a general, who is bound to a house and marriage she never wanted. Hedda's marriage name is Hedda Tesman, but Ibsen stated he kept her maiden name Gabler in the title to represent the message that rather than being her husband's wife, she is instead her father's daughter. The play was known as female Hamlet. -
When We Dead Awaken
When We Dead Awaken was the last play written by Henrik Ibsen. The first performance was at the Haymarket Theatre in London, two days before publication. The first act takes place at a spa overlooking a fjord. The story follows Arnold and Maia Rubek, and how both feel an unhappiness in their lives. They meet Squire Ulfheim, a brash and anti-people person invites them somewhere less populated. Irena, the white woman, shares with Arnold that she feels "dead" after modeling for him. He does too. -
The Reality of The Father's Death
Henrik Ibsen died in Oslo, Norway, on May 23rd, 1906, and was buried in Our Savior's Cemetery, Oslo Norway. He had been known to have heart complications, and died after a battle with paralysis cordis, also known as Cerebrovascular Disease. -
Ibsen's Legacy
Ivo de Figueiredo argues that ""today, Ibsen belongs to the world. But it is impossible to understand Ibsen's path out there without knowing the Danish cultural sphere from which he sprang, from which he liberated himself and which he ended up shaping. Ibsen developed as a person and artist in a dialogue with Danish theater and literature that was anything but smooth." (Death and Legacy, Henrik Ibsen, Wikipedia). In 2006, his 100th anniversary was celebrated with an "Ibsen Year" in Norway. -
Legacy Continues
Homebuilding company Selvaag opened the Peer Gynt Sculpture Park in Oslo, Norway, in Ibsen's honor, allowing the possibility for the public to follow the play of Peer Gynt, scene by scene. Several other awards are given in his name, such as the International Ibsen Award, the Norwegian Ibsen Award, and the Ibsen Centennial Commemoration Award. On May 23rd, 2006, The Ibsen Museum was re-opened to the public, where he spent his last 11 years, re-decorated with it's original colors and decor. -
The Quote from The Father
"The spirit of truth and the spirit of freedom - these are the pillars of society. - Henrik Ibsen -
Resources Used
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2497/henrik-ibsen#:~:text=He%20died%20after%20several%20years,parents%20are%20interred%20in%20Skien
https://www.shakespearetheatre.org/_pdf/first_folio/folio_enemy_about.pdf
https://www.norwegianibsencompany.com/henrik-ibsen/#:~:text=Ibsen's%20main%20inspiration%20in%20the,read%2C%20Norwegian%20poet%20and%20playwright.
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/henrik-ibsen-quotes -
More Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Doll%27s_House
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_Gynt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedda_Gabler
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Enemy_of_the_People
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_We_Dead_Awaken
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love%27s_Comedy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catiline_(play)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaf_Liljekrans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrik_Ibsen#