Publication Date
Fall 12-1-2008
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Major
Theatre: Acting; Theatre Arts--Teacher Certification
Primary Subject Area
Theater
Keywords
Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House, The Wild Duck, The Lady From the Sea, Hedda Gabler, Female captivity, Female protagonist, Realism, Nora Helmer, Hedvig, Ellida Wangel, Hedda, Theatre performance
Disciplines
Dramatic Literature, Criticism and Theory | Performance Studies | Scandinavian Studies | Women's Studies
Recommended Citation
Forshey, Christina K., "Ibsen’s Female Characters in Captivity: An Exploration of Literature and Performance" (2008). Senior Honors Theses. 73.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/73
Abstract
In Henrik Ibsen’s plays, A Doll’s House, The Wild Duck, The Lady from the Sea, and Hedda Gabler, the theme of captivity is demonstrated in the female protagonists Nora, Hedvig, Ellida, and Hedda. The theme of captivity also serves as a performance guide for the portrayal of these characters. Ibsen’s female protagonists are in bondage to an object or person that manipulates the character’s mental and emotional senses. The character’s inner captivity reaches a climax where a decision must be made to abolish the chains of captivity or forever remain enslaved. Since the nineteenth century, the actor has greatly benefitted from Ibsen’s electrifying work that established the new acting style of Realism. The contemporary actor can apply the theme of captivity to performance by thoroughly reading the text, understanding Realism, creating a character separate from self, and training the voice and body.
Included in
Dramatic Literature, Criticism and Theory Commons, Performance Studies Commons, Scandinavian Studies Commons, Women's Studies Commons
