Early Plays — Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans

"Early Plays — Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans" by Henrik Ibsen is a collection of three early dramatic works written during the mid-19th century. This volume showcases Ibsen's evolution as a playwright, providing insight into his formative years when he began to grapple with the themes of individualism, societal conflict, and the intricacies of human motivation. The centerpiece, "Catiline," features Lucius Catiline, a Roman politician torn between his desires for greatness and the oppressive reality of his circumstances, setting the stage for a profound exploration of ambition and moral struggle. The opening of "Catiline" establishes a dark, introspective mood as the protagonist grapples with his disillusionment with the world around him, revealing his troubled psyche. As Catiline stands outside Rome, he wrestles with feelings of inadequacy, yearning for a life filled with purpose rather than the emptiness he currently experiences. This sense of restlessness draws him into a conspiracy that promises to restore the glory of Rome, yet it is also intertwined with a personal vendetta following a fatal encounter with a woman named Furia, who demands retribution for her sister's death. The interplay of political ambition and personal revenge introduces a complex layer to Catiline's character, foreshadowing the turmoil and tragedy that await in his quest for recognition and purpose. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Henrik Johan Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright and theatre director. As one of the founders of modernism in theatre, Ibsen is often referred to as "the father of realism" and the most influential playwright of the 19th century, as well of one of the most influential playwrights in Western literature more generally. His major works include Brand, Peer Gynt, Emperor and Galilean, A Doll's House, Ghosts, An Enemy of the People, The Wild Duck, Rosmersholm, Hedda Gabler, The Master Builder, and When We Dead Awaken. Ibsen is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare, and A Doll's House was the world's most performed play in 2006.