Lady Inger of Ostrat: Henrik Ibsen's Prose Dramas Vol III

"Lady Inger of Ostrat" by Henrik Ibsen is a prose drama written in the mid-19th century. The story revolves around Lady Inger Gyldenlove, a strong-willed widow grappling with the political tensions in Norway during the Danish rule. The drama unfolds primarily at Ostrat Manor, where various characters, including her daughter Elina and Dutch knight Nils Lykke, navigate themes of betrayal, loyalty, and national identity amidst the backdrop of rebellion. At the start of the play, the setting is established in the stormy environment of Ostrat Manor, where characters engage in conversations filled with lore and tension surrounding the Danish conquest. Through their dialogues, we learn of Lady Inger's heavy burden as she is torn between her responsibilities and desires for freedom amidst growing unrest among the Norwegian peasants. When news of an impending uprising reaches her, the conflicting ambitions of the characters come to light—some seek vengeance, others resolution. Elina begins to question her mother's choices, while a guest—a mysterious knight—arrives, setting the stage for pivotal encounters that may change the fate of Norway. As the dynamics deepen, the essence of identity and sacrifice emerges, hinting at Lady Inger's complex role as both a mother and a national figure. (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.