description Peer Gynt Overview
Peer Gynt is a five-act verse drama by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, published in 1867. Drawing on Norwegian folklore, it follows the boastful and evasive Peer through adventures in Norway, North Africa, and a symbolic or fantastic landscape before confronting questions about identity and responsibility. Edvard Grieg composed incidental music for the play's 1876 stage production, later arranging selections into two orchestral suites that include Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King.
insights Ranking position
Peer Gynt ranks #37 of 203 in the Play ranking, behind All My Sons, ahead of Merrily We Roll Along.
help Peer Gynt FAQ
What happens to Peer Gynt during the play?
Peer leaves Norway and moves through adventures involving trolls, wealth, North Africa, a shipwreck, and eventual old age. His travels repeatedly expose his habit of avoiding responsibility and reshaping the truth.
Who are Solveig and the Button Moulder?
Solveig is the woman who waits faithfully for Peer after he abandons her. Near the end, the Button Moulder threatens to melt Peer down because he has failed to become a distinct self.
Was Grieg's music part of Ibsen's original publication?
No, Ibsen published Peer Gynt as a five-act verse drama in 1867. Edvard Grieg composed incidental music for the play's first major Norwegian stage production in 1876.
Where do "Morning Mood" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King" occur?
"Morning Mood" accompanies the North African portion of the stage drama, despite its frequent modern association with Norwegian scenery. "In the Hall of the Mountain King" depicts Peer's encounter with the troll court.
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