About the lecture
Henrik Ibsen showed little interest in party politics, and indeed, he appears to have held a disdainful view of most politicians and the typical machinations of everyday politics. Despite this personal disinterest, there is no denying that his plays have been regarded as politically significant and inspiring.
The political dimensions of his works are crucial, albeit contested. Ibsen has been variously interpreted as a radical anarchist and as a deeply conservative writer. In this lecture, I will use these differing perspectives as my starting point to explore the political elements in Ibsen’s plays.
Beginning with his early works and articles, but primarily focusing on his realistic, contemporary dramas, I will examine themes of class, gender, ideology, and the tension between private and public spheres.
A common perspective on Ibsen’s body of work is that a notable shift occurs with The Wild Duck (1884), also in political terms. Therefore, this play deserves a closer analysis, with particular attention to language, power, and the potential for agency and social or political change.
About Frode Helland
Frode Helland is Professor of Scandinavian Literature at the University of Oslo's Centre for Ibsen Studies. He has published widely on Ibsen's works, especially on their philosophical, political and intercultural implications.
He is the author of several monographs, including Melankoliens spill. En studie i Henrik Ibsens siste dramaer (2000; The Play of Melancholy: A Study of Henrik Ibsen’s Last Dramas), Ibsen in Practice: Relational Readings of Performance, Cultural Encounters and Power (2015), and A Global Doll’s House: Ibsen and Distant Visions (2016), co-authored with Julie Holledge, Jonathan Bollen and Joanne Tompkins.
Helland is currently serving as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.
Remote attendance
Please note that the lecture will be streamed. If you wish to attend remotely, please register at this link no later than December 3. A Zoom link will be sent on the day of the lecture.