Three Plays of Henrik Ibsen: An Enemy of the People / The Wild Duck / Hedda Gabler (Easton Press) by Ibsen, Henrik; Gassner, John - 1979

Norwalk, Connecticut: The Easton Press, 1979. Full-Leather. Fine/No Jacket. Gassner, John. An exceptional copy. 1979 Full-Leather. xii, 325, [7] pp. Gray full leather, gilt titles & decorations, all edges gilt, silk moire endpapers, ribbon marker bound in. Three plays by Henrik Isben: An Enemy of the People, The Wild Duck, Hedda Gabler. Illustrations by John Gassner. "An Enemy of the People (original Norwegian title: En folkefiende) is an 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen wrote it in response to the public outcry against his play Ghosts, which at that time was considered scandalous. Ghosts had challenged the hypocrisy of Victorian morality and was deemed indecent for its veiled references to syphilis. Upon completion of the play, Ibsen wrote to his publisher in Copenhagen, Denmark: "I am still uncertain as to whether I should call it a comedy or a straight drama. It may [have] many traits of comedy, but it also is based on a serious idea." "The Wild Duck (original Norwegian title: Vildanden) is an 1884 play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The first act opens with a dinner party hosted by HÃ¥kon Werle, a wealthy merchant and industrialist. The gathering is attended by his son, Gregers Werle, who has just returned to his father's home following a self-imposed exile. There, he learns the fate of a former classmate, Hjalmar Ekdal. Hjalmar married Gina, a young servant in the Werle household. The older Werle had arranged the match by providing Hjalmar with a home and profession as a photographer. Gregers, whose mother died believing that Gina and HÃ¥kon had carried on an affair, becomes enraged at the thought that his old friend is living a life built on a lie." "Hedda Gabler is a play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen was present at the world premiere, which took place on 31 January 1891 at the Residenztheater in Munich. It is recognized as a classic of realism, nineteenth century theatre, and world drama. The title character, Hedda, is considered one of the great dramatic roles in theatre. Hedda's married name is Hedda Tesman; Gabler is her maiden name. On the subject of the title, Ibsen wrote: "My intention in giving it this name was to indicate that Hedda as a personality is to be regarded rather as her father's daughter than her husband's wife.