When We Dead Awaken

When We Dead Awaken

The Project Gutenberg EBook of When We Dead Awaken, by Henrik
Ibsen #10 in our series by Henrik Ibsen
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Title: When We Dead Awaken
Author: Henrik Ibsen
Release Date: December, 2003 [EBook #4782] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 24,
2002]
Edition: 10

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHEN WE
DEAD AWAKEN ***

Produced by Sonia K.

WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN
By Henrik Ibsen.
Introduction and translation by William Archer.

INTRODUCTION.
From Pillars of Society to John Gabriel Borkman, Ibsen’s plays had
followed each other at regular intervals of two years, save when his
indignation over the abuse heaped upon Ghosts reduced to a single year
the interval between that play and An Enemy of the People. John
Gabriel Borkman having appeared in 1896, its successor was expected
in 1898; but Christmas came and brought no rumour of a new play. In a
man now over seventy, this breach of a long-established habit seemed
ominous. The new National Theatre in Christiania was opened in
September of the following year; and when I then met Ibsen (for the
last time) he told me that he was actually at work on a new play, which
he thought of calling a "Dramatic Epilogue." "He wrote When We Dead
Awaken," says Dr. Elias, "with such labour and such passionate
agitation, so spasmodically and so feverishly, that those around him
were almost alarmed. He must get on with it, he must get on! He
seemed to hear the beating of dark pinions over his head. He seemed to
feel the grim Visitant, who had accompanied Alfred Allmers on the
mountain paths, already standing behind him with uplifted hand. His
relatives are firmly convinced that he knew quite clearly that this would
be his last play, that he was to write no more. And soon the blow fell."
When We Dead Awaken was published very shortly before Christmas
1899. He had still a year of comparative health before him. We find
him in March 1900, writing to Count Prozor: "I cannot say yet whether

or not I shall write another drama; but if I continue to retain the vigour
of body and mind which I at present enjoy, I do not imagine that I shall
be able to keep permanently away from the old battlefields. However, if
I were to make my appearance again, it would be with new weapons
and in new armour." Was he hinting at the desire, which he had long
ago confessed to Professor Herford, that his last work should be a
drama in verse? Whatever his dream, it was not to be realised. His last
letter (defending his attitude of philosophic impartiality with regard to
the South African war) is dated December 9, 1900. With the dawn of
the new century, the curtain descended upon the mind of the great
dramatic poet of the age which had passed away.
When We Dead Awaken was acted during 1900 at most of the leading
theatres in Scandinavia and Germany. In some German cities (notably
in Frankfort on Main) it even attained a considerable number of
representatives. I cannot learn, however, that it has anywhere held the
stage. It was produced in London, by the State Society, at the Imperial
Theatre, on January 25 and 26, 1903. Mr. G. S. Titheradge played
Rubek, Miss Henrietta Watson Irene, Miss Mabel Hackney Maia, and
Mr. Laurence Irving Ulfheim. I find no record of any American
performance.
In the above-mentioned letter to Count Prozor, Ibsen confirmed that
critic's conjecture that "the series which ends with the Epilogue really
began with _The Master Builder." As the last confession, so to speak,
of a great artist, the Epilogue will always be read with interest. It
contains, moreover, many flashes of the old genius, many strokes of the
old incommunicable magic. One