Peer Gynt is a five-act play written by Henrik Ibsen, first published in 1867. It follows the adventurous life of Peer Gynt, a Norwegian anti-hero, as he embarks on a journey from the Norwegian mountains to the deserts of North Africa and beyond. Along the way, Peer encounters various characters and situations that challenge his identity and morality, ultimately leading him to confront the consequences of his actions and the meaning of life. The play explores themes of individualism, fantasy versus reality, and the search for personal fulfillment.
Translated with an Introduction by Peter Watts
About the Author
Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) is often called “the Father of Modern Drama.” Born in Norway in 1828, he enjoyed successes with the verse dramas Brand and Peer Gynt before embarking on his great twelve-play cycle of society dramas, which included A Doll’s House and Ghosts. After twenty-one years of self-imposed exile in Italy and Germany, Ibsen died in Norway.