Henrik Ibsen

       Ibsen was inspired by Ainner life,@ the problems of modern civilization. He saw his drama as not just a means of entertainment but a method to bring about discussion of concepts and to stimulate ideas.

In his attention to realism, he discarded theatrical conventions such as asides and soliloquies and any contrived elements such as eavesdropping to advance plot.

His "social problem" plays include

         Peer Gynt (1867)

         A Doll=s House (1879)

         Ghosts (1881)