Rosmersholm: Schauspiel in vier Aufzügen

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

36997

Title

Rosmersholm: Schauspiel in vier Aufzügen

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Ibsen's psychological drama explores the conflict between idealism and reality through Johannes Rosmer and Rebekka West. As they confront the ghosts of Rosmer's past and societal prejudice, their shared commitment to radical change leads to a tragic, transformative conclusion that challenges the boundaries of love and morality.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the backdrop of a Norwegian fjord town, Henrik Ibsen's *Rosmersholm* presents a profound psychological drama centered on Johannes Rosmer, a former pastor who has converted to radical politics, and Rebekka West, his devoted companion. Their relationship is fraught with tension, haunted by the suicide of Rosmer's first wife, Beate, who accused him of moral corruption before her death. The play intensifies when Peter Mortensgaard, a former colleague, threatens to expose their secret relationship to the public, revealing that Beate had written a letter warning of impending ruin, suggesting she knew of their bond. This revelation shatters Rosmer's faith in his ability to elevate humanity through idealism, forcing him to confront the weight of his past and societal judgment. Rebekka, initially hesitant to follow Beate's path, eventually resolves to jump into the millstream to clear Rosmer's name and protect him from the consequences of their shared secrets. In a climactic moment, Rosmer decides to accompany her, rejecting the safety of conventional morality for a shared, transcendent act of defiance. They walk hand in hand toward the water, choosing mutual destruction over the burden of guilt and societal expectation. The play concludes with the servants discovering their bodies, leaving the audience to ponder the devastating cost of idealism and the destructive power of unyielding principles. Through this tragic ending, Ibsen explores the conflict between individual freedom and the crushing weight of social conventions, questioning whether true nobility can exist within a society that demands conformity and suppresses the human spirit.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Psychology
• Drama