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Three Plays: A Doll's House/Ghosts/Hedda Gabler
Announcing a new series of Drama Classic Collections.
352 pages, paper
First published September 1, 2005
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5 people want to read
About the author
Henrik Ibsen
2,343 books2,143 followersHenrik Johan Ibsen 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." Ibsen is held to be the greatest of Norwegian authors and one of the most important playwrights of all time, celebrated as a national symbol by Norwegians.
His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era, when Victorian values of family life and propriety largely held sway in Europe and any challenge to them was considered immoral and outrageous. Ibsen's work examined the realities that lay behind many facades, possessing a revelatory nature that was disquieting to many contemporaries.
Ibsen largely founded the modern stage by introducing a critical eye and free inquiry into the conditions of life and issues of morality. Victorian-era plays were expected to be moral dramas with noble protagonists pitted against darker forces; every drama was expected to result in a morally appropriate conclusion, meaning that goodness was to bring happiness, and immorality pain. Ibsen challenged this notion and the beliefs of his times and shattered the illusions of his audiences.
His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era, when Victorian values of family life and propriety largely held sway in Europe and any challenge to them was considered immoral and outrageous. Ibsen's work examined the realities that lay behind many facades, possessing a revelatory nature that was disquieting to many contemporaries.
Ibsen largely founded the modern stage by introducing a critical eye and free inquiry into the conditions of life and issues of morality. Victorian-era plays were expected to be moral dramas with noble protagonists pitted against darker forces; every drama was expected to result in a morally appropriate conclusion, meaning that goodness was to bring happiness, and immorality pain. Ibsen challenged this notion and the beliefs of his times and shattered the illusions of his audiences.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 15, 2018
I want to know what was in Ibsen's water because HOT DANG all of his women are on FIRE! No wonder these plays caused such scandal around the 1880’s: all of these stories are so realistic and raw that it's no surprise they are still popular today.
“But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves."
"It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.”
A Doll’s House: 3 stars.
While the most known of Ibsen’s plays, this was the play that I liked the least of all 3. The first half was quite slow in its build-up and due to Nora’s childish behaviour and the pet names I couldn’t take her seriously, but the second half was much stronger. Every ‘flat’ character, even Krogstad, get opened up and shown in a different light, and the powerful talk between Nora and Torvald had me punching the air in victory.
“I suffered a great deal in this house. All to prevent people – including my own son! - from finding out what kind of man my husband was.”
Ghosts: 4 stars.
This play blew me away with its powerful and bleak story about spousal abuse, neglect and how the sins of our (fore)fathers never leave us alone. From the start I was rooting for Mrs. Alving and Regine and how they stood up against haughty priest Manders and drunk Engstrand. The story grew more sinister the further I got, and although I'm glad Regine got away, the last scene gave me chills.
“I want for once in my life to have power to mould a human destiny.”
Hedda Gabler: 4 stars.
Beautiful, rich, and bored Hedda Gabler: what a dangerous woman you are. From the moment we get introduced to her dull husband you know that this married lady isn’t going to play house. She rather plays with her guns, or with other people’s lives: pushing and putting them against each other regardless of the consequences.
This play grabs a hold on you and squeezes tighter and tighter until the ending comes as a punch in the gut – and yet it feels as a release.
This was a great collection of Ibsen’s work with a very interesting introduction to the plays, including explanations about its themes and personal information about Henrik Ibsen himself. I can’t wait to see any of them performed live <3
“But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves."
"It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.”
A Doll’s House: 3 stars.
While the most known of Ibsen’s plays, this was the play that I liked the least of all 3. The first half was quite slow in its build-up and due to Nora’s childish behaviour and the pet names I couldn’t take her seriously, but the second half was much stronger. Every ‘flat’ character, even Krogstad, get opened up and shown in a different light, and the powerful talk between Nora and Torvald had me punching the air in victory.
“I suffered a great deal in this house. All to prevent people – including my own son! - from finding out what kind of man my husband was.”
Ghosts: 4 stars.
This play blew me away with its powerful and bleak story about spousal abuse, neglect and how the sins of our (fore)fathers never leave us alone. From the start I was rooting for Mrs. Alving and Regine and how they stood up against haughty priest Manders and drunk Engstrand. The story grew more sinister the further I got, and although I'm glad Regine got away, the last scene gave me chills.
“I want for once in my life to have power to mould a human destiny.”
Hedda Gabler: 4 stars.
Beautiful, rich, and bored Hedda Gabler: what a dangerous woman you are. From the moment we get introduced to her dull husband you know that this married lady isn’t going to play house. She rather plays with her guns, or with other people’s lives: pushing and putting them against each other regardless of the consequences.
This play grabs a hold on you and squeezes tighter and tighter until the ending comes as a punch in the gut – and yet it feels as a release.
This was a great collection of Ibsen’s work with a very interesting introduction to the plays, including explanations about its themes and personal information about Henrik Ibsen himself. I can’t wait to see any of them performed live <3
August 26, 2020
Super interesting introduction, very well translated work, and the plays really surprised me. Despite being written in the nineteenth century, the themes still feel fresh. I’m surprised Ibsen isn’t more talked about. I’d love to see these plays in person one day; until then, I’m very happy to have read them, as they’re very exciting to read
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews