The Vikings at Helgeland
Encyclopedia
The Vikings at Helgeland (Hærmændene paa Helgeland) is Henrik Ibsen
's seventh play.
The Vikings at Helgeland was written during 1857 and first performed at Christiania Norske Theater in Oslo on 24 November 1858. The scenes take place during the time of Erik Blood-axe (c. 930–934) in the north of Norway in historic Helgeland
. The play takes place at a time in which Norwegian society was adjusting from the tradition of Old Norse Sagas
to the new era of Christianity
.
as a part of his publication, Henrik Ibsen's Prose Dramas Vol III. This volume consisted of Lady Inger of Östrat; (Fru Inger til Østeraad), The Vikings at Helgeland; (Hærmændene paa Helgeland) and The Pretenders (Kongs-Emnerne). It was published by The Walter Scott Company, London in 1890.
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is often referred to as "the father of prose drama" and is one of the founders of Modernism in the theatre...
's seventh play.
The Vikings at Helgeland was written during 1857 and first performed at Christiania Norske Theater in Oslo on 24 November 1858. The scenes take place during the time of Erik Blood-axe (c. 930–934) in the north of Norway in historic Helgeland
Helgeland
Helgeland is the most southerly district in Northern Norway. Generally speaking, Helgeland refers to the part of Nordland county that is located south of the Arctic Circle. The district covers an area of about , with nearly 79,000 inhabitants...
. The play takes place at a time in which Norwegian society was adjusting from the tradition of Old Norse Sagas
Sagàs
Sagàs is a small town and municipality located in Catalonia, in the comarca of Berguedà. It is located in the geographical area of the pre-Pyrenees.-Population:...
to the new era of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
Main Characters
- Sigurd the Strong - sea kingSea KingSea-King , refers to a Viking, pirate chieftain of the early Middle Ages.It may also refer to:-Aviation:* SH-3 Sea King, American, naval helicopter* Westland Sea King, British, licensed version of the SH-3...
- Gunnar - rich farmer of HelgelandHelgelandHelgeland is the most southerly district in Northern Norway. Generally speaking, Helgeland refers to the part of Nordland county that is located south of the Arctic Circle. The district covers an area of about , with nearly 79,000 inhabitants...
- Ørnulf - Icelandic Chieftain
- Hjørdis - Ørnulf's foster daughter
- Dagny - Ørnulf's daughter
- Egil - Gunnar's and Hjørdis' four-year-old son
- Kåre - Helgeland peasant
Translations
This play was translated into English by Scottish writer and critic William ArcherWilliam Archer (critic)
William Archer , Scottish critic, was born in Perth, and was educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he received the degree of M.A. in 1876. He was the son of Thomas Archer....
as a part of his publication, Henrik Ibsen's Prose Dramas Vol III. This volume consisted of Lady Inger of Östrat; (Fru Inger til Østeraad), The Vikings at Helgeland; (Hærmændene paa Helgeland) and The Pretenders (Kongs-Emnerne). It was published by The Walter Scott Company, London in 1890.
Other sources
- James McFarlane, editor (1962)The Oxford Ibsen, Volume II (Oxford University Press) ISBN 978-0192113344
- James McFarlane, editor (1994) The Cambridge Companion to Ibsen (Cambridge University Press) ISBN 978-0521423212