Rosmersholm

Henrik Ibsen’s Rosmersholm, written in the late 19th century, is a four-act play centered on John Rosmer, a former clergyman haunted by his wife Beata’s death and his complex bond with Rebecca West. Themes of personal freedom, societal expectations, and the burden of guilt dominate the narrative. The play opens on a summer evening at the Rosmersholm manor, where Rebecca and Mrs. Helseth foreshadow Rosmer’s inner turmoil and Beata’s tragic drowning. The arrival of Kroll, Rosmer’s brother-in-law, introduces political strife and social tension. Ultimately, the drama explores the clash between private desire and public duty, as well as the inescapable influence of the past.