Ο τάφος του πολεμιστή

by Henrik Ibsen, Ερρίκος Ίψεν, Θεοδόσης Αγγ. Παπαδημητρόπουλος (Translator)

Το έργο παρουσιάζει πρόοδο σε σχέση με τον Κατιλίνα: Η μικρότερή του διάρκεια, η σωστή χρήση της σκηνικής αναγνώρισης (που το καθιστά αναλυτικό στην τεχνική του), η δημιουργική μίμηση του προτύπου - της δραματουργίας του Έλενσλέγκερ δηλαδή - κ' η ισόρροπη ανάπτυξη των κεντρικών και περιφερειακών χαρακτήρων, μαρτυρούν μία θεατρικότητα πούλειπε απ' την ιστορία του Ρωμαίου επαναστάτη. Δεν είναι καθόλου τυχαίο που η τότε Νορβηγική Σκηνή δέχτηκε να το ανεβάση, ενώ απέρριψε το πρώτο θεατρικό... Βεβαίως, η εξεγερτική στάση του δημιουργού ενάντια σ' όλα τα κακώς κείμενα, κατά τη φράση του Μπραντ: Ή όλα, ή τίποτα!, εδώ είναι καλοκρυμμένη και δύσκολα θα την εκμεταλλευτούν όσοι ψάχνουν «κηρύγματα» και «ξεφωνητά»... Όμως, αυτό δεν καθιστά το δράμα κακό..- αρκεί να παρακαμφθή η εξαλλοιωτική θεώρηση του ποιητή, ως δήθεν «κοινωνικού ρέκτη» και, με το στανιό, «προοδευτικού» συγκεκριμένης πολιτικής απόχρωσης!

Genres: Plays, Theatre

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1850

About the author

Henrik 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.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's quite fun going into Henrik Ibsen's plays not knowing what they are gonna be about. This one was about vikings and one of them was even called Gandalf. Wonder if this is where J. R. R Tolkien got insperation with the name at least. It was very short but I enjoyed. A nice little treat

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was Ibsen's 2nd play and to me, even though it was more marketable in Norway, it was not nearly as good as Catiline which was his first play. A very simple and easy read about Vikings who have come to an Island off of Sicily to avenge their Kings death about 3 years ago. A bit convoluted in the plot and do not care for the character Blanka's constant speaking and reciting poems. We have Vikings coming to avenge death and by the end it that doesn't happen due to some plot twists. OK play, if this would be your first Ibsen play you read you might not be overly excited to read another of his early ones.

[readingwiizard · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 💫

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I *loved* this on! So short, but very whimsical and... Vikings. Great rhythm in the writing and enjoyed how the story unfolded. Another win of reading through Ibsen.

Tech note: I will say that it took me a while to find this title specifically in Goodreads though, had to look under "The Warrior's Barrow" as I couldn't find a unique edition just to The Burial Mound.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vikings in Sicily. Short, mythic, cute.

[Rudi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Til tross for at Kjæmpehøien er et langt mindre ambisiøst prosjekt enn Catilina, synes jeg det er mer spennende å lese i dag. Litt av grunnen er kanskje at dette er et mer fordøyelig stykke, en kort sak på bare ett akt, satt i et nasjonalromantisk miljø. Stykket handler om brytningstiden mellom norrøn tro og kristendom, og man møter en gjeng vikinger - spennende nok ledet av vikingen "Gandalf" - som skal hevne drapet på Gandalfs far. Heldigvis blir Gandalfs moralske kompass justert av ei vakker ung jente han møter på sin vei. Hele stykket er en nokså lettvint utført klisje med en ikke særlig imponerende tvist mot slutten av handlingen. Dette var det første Ibsen-stykket som ble satt opp på en scene, og ble først utgitt noen år senere (i Bergensavisen) i en noe omskrevet form.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play, in reality a dramatic poem in one act, first performed in 1850, is set in Normandy in Viking times. An old Norse warrior Bernhard and his foster daughter Blanka, both Christians, tend the harrow (burial mound) of a warrior. Pagan Vikings arrive, led by their king, Gandalf, bent on avenging the death of his father Audun who had been killed here. He is enamoured with Blanka, who tries to convert him to Christianity. Bernhard tells Gandalf that the barrow is Audun’s and that he, Bernhard, killed him. Gandalf’s men demand that he carry out his pledge to slay his father’s murderer or die. Rather than exterminate Blanka’s foster father Gandalf decides to kill himself. She tries to convince him that a promise to the pagan gods need not be obeyed. Bernhard now divulges himself as Audun. Wounded in battle, he had been found and tended by Blanka. The harrow contains only, emblematically, his Viking sword and armour. Gandalf, converted, takes Blanka to the north lobe his bride.

Loud and boring.

[Maksym · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a nicely written play and it certainly creates an atmosphere, but I can't help thinking that everyone in the play are sort of indecisive. Without spoilers, pretty much everyone changes their mind drastically as a result of a short talk between themselves, and it seems like none of the characters actually has any sort of conviction.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short, rushed, nationalist allegory that presents Norway as remembering its Viking past but moving on to a new day in which it is settled and at peace with the rest of Europe, even as it asserts its grand sovereignty. Mostly forgettable other than as a reference point in the career of Ibsen. It can be skipped by anyone who isn’t an Ibsen fan.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last of the Vikings! The transition from warriors to men of peace.

[Michael A. Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short allegorical work in verse about the turning of Norway from its Viking past. Not a bad story but not particularly memorable.