The collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 09 (of 11)

"The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 09" by Henrik Ibsen is a collection of plays, including "Rosmersholm" and "The Lady from the Sea," created during the late 19th century. This volume captures Ibsen's exploration of complex human relationships, societal norms, and psychological depths through its rich characters and intricate storylines. A significant theme revolves around individual emancipation and moral dilemmas within the context of a changing society. The opening portion of "Rosmersholm" introduces us to the titular character, Johannes Rosmer, a former clergyman living in his ancestral home, where past tragedies continue to haunt him. We meet Rebecca West, who manages Rosmer's household, and Rector Kroll, Rosmer's brother-in-law, who brings political tensions to the fore. A sense of foreboding is established as the characters reflect on the lingering impact of death on their lives and community. As discussions unfold, they touch on themes of loyalty, societal change, and the ghosts of their pasts, hinting at the conflicts to come as Rosmer grapples with his ideological awakening and the implications of his relationships with Rebecca and Kroll. (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.