A Comparative Study of Some Plays by Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg- A Reinterpretation of Gender Issues

Abstract

The study aims at reinterpreting gender issues through a comparative study of the plays by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) and Swedish playwright August Strindberg (1849-1912). It goes through the similarities and dissimilarities of their plays; different ‘ism’s used in their plays have been discussed as well. Necessary definitions have been provided as per requirement. Moreover, the study tries to view their plays from some unconventional points of view. For example, Henrik Ibsen’s plays are commonly regarded as the mouthpiece of Women’s Rights Movements, and those are used to spread feminism’s standpoints worldwide. This research tries to check the authenticity of such claims. On the other hand, August Strindberg is infamous for his so called ‘misogynistic’ writings. The study investigates into the credibility of such conventional blaming. Mainly, two plays by each of the playwrights have been chosen to conduct the comparative study. The plays are: Ghosts (1881) and The Lady from the Sea (1888) by Henrik Ibsen, and The Father (1887) and Creditors (1888) by August Strindberg. Besides, references have been taken relevantly from some of their other plays. The study gives notable attention to ‘Female Power’ that comes frequently at Ibsen and Strindberg’s plays. Above all, with the help of different arguments, discussions and references, the study tries to set newer points of view to evaluate Henrik Ibsen, August Strindberg and gender issues.