History Theatre / Rosmersholm

'''Rosmersholm''', written by Creator/HenrikIbsen, was published in 1886. The play tells the story of a retired priest, Johannes Rosmer, living at his inherited estate, Rosmersholm. With him is an old housekeeper, madam Helseth, and the young and inspiring Rebekka West, who arrived with a doctor from the north to tend to his mentally ill wife, Beate - who, it turns out, was DrivenToSuicide by throwing herself into the waterfalls by the mill, one and a half years prior to the play. Rosmer feels guilty for this, and so does Rebekka - it turns out Rosmer never dares to walk down to the falls, because of this traumatic incident.

Principal Kroll, Rosmer's brother-in-law, a man with conservative leanings, tries to make Rosmer get back into the fold, but Rosmer refuses, because he feels he has to denounce all the old ways of thought. Kroll then disowns their old friendship, and it is slowly revealed that Rosmer's wife commited suicide because she wished her husband a better life with Rebekka. Kroll chides Rebekka for this, and she acknowledges that she partly led Beate Rosmer into her demise. Which nearly breaks the relationship between her and Rosmer. In the end, they reconcile, and decide to end it together, by going straight for the waterfalls. TragedyEnsues.

* ArcSymbol: The White Horses, mentioned time and again. A vivid harbinger of death.
* AuthorAvatar: Rosmer states some points Ibsen also atated in a number of poems he wrote at the same time.

* DeconstructedTrope: Ibsen may try to turn all of his former tropes inside out during this play. The whole "star-crossed lovers jump in the river together" trope is actually a DeadHorseTrope, at least in Scandinavia, as it was overused by dime ballads, which were known for melodramatic endings, and were immensely popular. Ibsen would probably never use this at all unless he had his tongue firmly placed in his cheek.

* DrivenToSuicide: Beate Rosmer (who was literally ''driven''), jumped in the waterfalls. Later, Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer's old teacher, and at the end: Rebekka and Rosmer, alså jumping into the waterfalls.

* EvilReactionary: Principal Kroll is in opposition to anything "new", and enters political life to stop, or at least stall, the radical leanings of the times. He has been a conservative all the way, and is also responsible for getting Brendel thrown out of his position as a university teacher (while still a student). It seems Kroll is somewhat out of touch, as his own children and his wife also lean in on the more contemporary radicalism. (TruthInTelevision: The time the play is set in, saw the rising of new political parties in Norway, and the Left was the first to organize. Kroll seems to be eager to organize the Right (Conservative) party, founded two years prior to the play in 1884. Hence his frustration over the new popular movements). When Kroll is asked on his possible connection to a labor union, he sharply states that he has nothing to do with them.
** The trope is also used with the father of Johannes Rosmer, a major, who also kicked Brendel out.

* GrimUpNorth: Rebekka was born in ''Gamvik'', a small hamlet in the county of Finnmark. Arguably as far up north as you can get in Norway.
* GuiltComplex: Rosmer because of his wife's suicide. Rebekka likewise.

* {{Melodrama}}: There is a certain melodramatic ring to this chain of events. But then again, [[MindScrew What was Ibsen actually up to?]]

* ThePhilosopher: Ulrik Brendel, and Johannes Rosmer fit the trope. Both with a dark twist.

* ScrewThisImOutOfHere: Rebekka West decides to leave Rosmersholm in a hurry. But then, [[SubvertedTrope she changes her mind]].

* TakeAThirdOption: In the divided political landscape of the times, Rosmer has a strong wish to unite the fractions, not siding with either of them. It goes badly.

* WithUsOrAgainstUs: Kroll breaks his friendship to Rosmer because Rosmer has changed his views. "Those who do not stand with me, I do not know any longer".

* WrapItUp: The decision to kill off the main characters wraps up the plotline rather quickly. The whole thing is solved in four acts, as opposed to [[ThreeActStructure the regular five (or three).]] Someone has actually accused Ibsen of running out of ideas here.

* DeconstructedTrope: Ibsen may try to turn all of his former tropes inside out during this play. The whole "star crossed lovers jump in the river together" trope is actually a DeadHorseTrope, at least in Scandinavia, as it was overused because of dime ballads, which were known for melodramatic endings, and were immensely popular. Ibsen would probably never use this at all unless he had his tongue firmly placed in his cheek.

* DrivenToSuicide: Beate Rosmer (which was literally ''driven''), jumped in the waterfalls. Later, Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer's old teacher, and at the end: Rebekka and Rosmer, alså jumping into the waterfalls.

* KilledOffScreen: Rosmer and Rebekka. Madam Helseth, the last one on stage, comments the suicide act from her window, and thus delivers the last lines of the play.

* SuicidePact: Rosmer and Rebekka ends it together.

* TakeThatAudience: Is Ibsen actually toying with his audience in this play? There is a number of false leads before TheReveal, and from there we have a number of twists, like Rebekka deciding to leave the estate, then suddenly changing her mind, consenting to marry Rosmer on the spot (after having turned him down earlier on), and then the two of them suddenly head for an unexpected suicide? And what of the political set up during the first act? MindScrew indeed.

Principal Kroll, Rosmer's brother-in-law, a man with conservative leanings, tries to make Rosmer get back into the fold, but Rosmer refuses, because he feels he has to denounce all the old ways of thought. Kroll then disowns their old friendship, and it is slowly revealed that Rosmer's wife commited suicide because she wished her husband a better life with Rebekka. Kroll chides Rebekka for this, and she acknowledges that she partly led Beate Rosmer into her demise. Which nearly breaks the relationship between her and Rosmer. In the end, they reconcile, and decides to end it together, by going straight for the waterfalls. TragedyEnsues.

* DichterAndDenker: Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer's old teacher, seems to be something of a German philosopher type. He is also on his last knees, and ends it come the last act.

* DrivenToSuicide: Beate Rosmer (which was literally ''driven''). Later, Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer's old teacher, and at the end: Rebekka and Rosmer.

* EvilReactionary:
** Principal Kroll is in opposition to anything "new", and enters political life to stop, or at least stall, the radical leanings of the times. He has been a conservative all the way, and is also responsible for getting Brendel thrown out of his position as a university teacher (while still a student). It seems Kroll is somewhat out of touch, as his own children and his wife also lean in on the more contemporary radicalism. (TruthInTelevision: The time the play is set in, saw the rising of new political parties in Norway, and the Left was the first to organize. Kroll seems to be eager to organize the Right (Conservative) party, founded two years prior to the play in 1884. Hence his frustration over the new popular movements). When Kroll is asked on his possible connection to a labor union, he sharply states that he has nothing to do with them.

'''Rosmersholm''', written by Creator/HenrikIbsen, was published in 1886. The play tells the story of a retired priest, ''Johannes Rosmer'', living at his inherited estate, ''Rosmersholm''. With him is an old housekeeper, madam Helseth, and the young and inspiring Rebekka West, who arrived with a doctor from the north to tend to his mentally ill wife, Beate - who, it turns out, was DrivenToSuicide by throwing herself into the waterfalls by the mill, one and a half year prior to the play. Rosmer feels guilty for this, and so does Rebekka - it turns out Rosmer never dares to walk down to the falls, because of this traumatic incident. Principal Kroll, Rosmer`s brother-in-law, a man with conservative leanings, tries to make Rosmer get back into the fold, but Rosmer refuses, because he feels he has to denounce all the old ways of thought. Kroll then disowns their old friendship, and it is slowly revealed that Rosmer`s wife commited suicide because she wished her husband a better life with Rebekka. Kroll chides Rebekka for this, and she acknowledges that she partly led Beate Rosmer into her demise. Which nearly breaks the relationship between her and Rosmer. In the end, they reconcile, and decides to end it together, by going straight for the waterfalls. TragedyEnsues.

* AndNowYouMustMarryMe: Rosmer proposes to Rebekka, but she refuses. She gives in come the last act.
* ArcSymbol: The White Horses, mentioned time and again. A vivid harbinger of death.
* AwfulWeddedLife: Johannes and Beate Rosmer seem to have lived like this.
* TheChessmaster: More than one. Rebekka seems to have been playing both Rosmer and his wife. Then there is Kroll, who tries to play Rosmer over to his side, and Mortensgaard likewise, to the other side.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Rebekka West has some secrets, [[NoodleIncident and we should probably not inquire too much]] [[FreakOut upon her]]. She was born in the [[OopNorth far north]], and it is questionable if she ever knew her father. The name given for her birthplace implies some connections to the UsefulNotes/SamiPeople.
* DeconstructedTrope: Ibsen may try to turn all of his former tropes inside out during this play.
** The whole "star crossed lovers jump in the river together" trope is actually a DeadHorseTrope, at least in Scandinavia, as it was overused because of dime ballads, which were known for melodramatic endings, and were immensely popular. Ibsen would probably never use this at all unless he had his tongue firmly placed in his cheek.
* DichterAndDenker: Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer`s old teacher, seems to be something of a German philosopher type. He is also on his last knees, and ends it come the last act.
* DrivenToSuicide: Beate Rosmer (which was literally ''driven''). Later, Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer`s old teacher, and at the end: Rebekka and Rosmer.

* EvilReactionary: Principal Kroll is in opposition to anything "new", and enters political life to stop, or at least stall, the radical leanings of the times. He has been a conservative all the way, and is also responsible for getting Brendel thrown out of his position as a university teacher (while still a student). It seems Kroll is somewhat out of touch, as his own children and his wife also lean in on the more contemporary radicalism. (TruthInTelevision: The time the play is set in, saw the rising of new political parties in Norway, and the Left was the first to organize. Kroll seems to be eager to organize the Right (Conservative) party, founded two years prior to the play in 1884. Hence his frustration over the new popular movements). When Kroll is asked on his possible connection to a labor union, he sharply states that he has nothing to do with them.
** The trope is also used on the father of Johannes Rosmer, a major, who also kicked Brendel out.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: At the opening of the play, Rebekka sits by an open window, listening to the waterfalls. Madam Helseth suggests they close the window because of the draft from the falls (underscored that there is something "pulling" from the falls). At the end of the play, the Madam views the romantic couple go in the water from the same window.
* GratuitousGerman: Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer`s old teacher, spills some german phrases over his speech, just to underline his ethnic background.
* GuiltComplex: Rosmer because of his wife`s suicide. Rebekka likewise.
* HauntedHouse: The Rosmersholm estate has an eerie feeling to it. Madam Helseth states that the dead never actually leave the manor - they are bound to the place. The children who were born there, [[CreepyChild never cried, nor laughed]]. The current resident never got any children.
* ItRunsInTheFamily: The Rosmer family is stock full of unhappy priests and loads of guilt.
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Invoked by Beate Rosmer in a letter to the local newspaper editor, Mortensgaard.
* KilledOffScreen: Rosmer and Rebekka. Madam Helseth, the last one on stage, comments the suicide act from her window, and thus delivers the last lines of the play.
* MayDecemberRomance: Rosmer and Rebekka. She is abt 30 years old, he at least 15 years older.

* MindScrew: Oh yes. Ibsen plays it big.
* OldRetainer: Madam Helseth. She seems to have been at Rosmersholm for decades, and knows the Rosmers and their quirks pretty well.
* OopNorth: In this case, Finnmark - as far north as you could possibly get in Norway. That is where Rebekka West grew up under poor conditions.
* ThePhilosopher: Ulrik Brendel, and Johannes Rosmer fit the trope. Both with a dark twist.
* TheReveal: Rebekka reveals she was partly instrumental in the suicide of Beate Rosmer.
* ScrewThisImOutOfHere: Rebekka West decides to leave Rosmersholm in a hurry. But then, [[SubvertedTrope she changes her mind]].
* ShadowArchetype: Principal Kroll to Johannes Rosmer.
* ShoutOut: Literature/MedievalBallads, especially one about "Rosmer from the sea". The White horse is also a common way to depict the Norwegian Water sprite (''Nøkken''), who was known for pulling people down to him. He could shape change into a white horse that rode straight for the waters.
* SlidingScaleOfFreeWillVersusFate: Rosmer contemplates setting himself free, but is reined in by his family curse, duties and guilt. It seems death is the only way out.
* SuicidePact: Rosmer and Rebekka ends it together.
* TakeThatAudience: Is Ibsen actually toying with his audience in this play? There is a number of false leads before TheReveal, and from there we have a number of twists, like Rebekka deciding to leave the estate, then suddenly changing her mind, consenting to marry Rosmer on the spot (after having turned him down earlier on), and then the two of them suddenly head for an unexpected suicide? And what of the political set up during the first act? MindScrew indeed.
* TragicHero: Johannes Rosmer.
* TwistEnding: The suicide part seems to come out of left field. But then again, "the old missus tok them..." (being the last words of the play).
* UnresolvedSexualTension: Rosmer and Rebekka has ''tons'' of it.

* EvilReactionary: Principal Kroll is in opposition to anything "new", and enters political life to stop, or at least stall, the radical leanings of the times. He has been a conservative all the way, and is also responsible for getting Brendel thrown out of his position as a university teacher (while still a student). It seems Kroll is somewhat out of touch, as his own children and his wife also lean in on the more contemporary radicalism. (TruthInTelevision: The time the play is set in, saw the rising of new political parties in Norway, and the Left was the first to organize. Kroll seems to be eager to organize the Right party. Hence his frustration over the new popular movements). When Kroll is asked on his possible connection to a labor union, he sharply states that he has nothing to do with them.

* EvilReactionary: Principal Kroll is in opposition to anything "new", and enters political life to stop, or at least stall, the radical leanings of the times. He has been a conservative all the way, and is also responsible for getting Brendel thrown out of his position as a university teacher (while still a student). It seems Kroll is somewhat out of touch, as his own children and his wife also lean in on the more contemporary radicalism. (TruthInTelevision: The time the play is set in, saw the rising of new political parties in Norway, and the Left was the first to organize. Kroll seems to be eager to organize the Right party. Hence his frustration over the new popular movements).

* DownerEnding: Oh, the romantic couple jump in the waterfalls together.

* HauntedHouse: The Rosmersholm estate has an eerie feeling to it. The children who were born there, [[CreepyChild never cried, nor laughed]]. The current resident never got any children.

* KilledOffScreen: Rosmer and Rebekka. Madam Elvsted, the last one on stage, comments the suicide act from her window, and thus delivers the last lines of the play.

* TakeThatAudience: Is Ibsen actually toying with his audience in this play? There is a number of false leads before TheReveal, and from there we have a number of twists, like Rebekka deciding to leave the estate, then suddenly changing her mind, consenting to marry Rosmer on the spot (after having turned him down earlier on), and then the two of them suddenly heads for an unexpected suicide? And what of the political set up during the first act? MindScrew indeed.

* GratuitosGerman: Ulrik Brendel, Rosmer`s old teacher, spills some german phrases over his speech, just to underline his ethnic background.

* WrapItUp: The decision to kill off the main characters wraps up the plotline rather quickly. The whole thing is solved in four acts, as opposed to the regular five. Someone has actually accused Ibsen of running out of ideas here.

* UnresolvedSexualTension: Rosmer and Rebekka has ''tons'' of it.

* TakeThatAudience: Is Ibsen actually toying with his audience in this play? There is a number of false leads before TheReveal, and from there we have a number of twists, like Rebekka deciding to leave the estate, then suddenly changing her mind, consenting to marry Rosmer on the spot, and then the two of them suddenly heads for an unexpected suicide? And what of the political set up during the first act? MindScrew indeed.

* ArcSymbol: The White Horses, mentioned time and again.

* MayDecemberRomance: Rosmer and Rebekka. She is abt 30 years old, he at least 15 years older.