| This thesis explores Henrik Ibsen's use of trolls as diabolic figures in Rosmersholm (1886), The Lady from the Sea (1888), and The Master Builder (1892). Ibsen feels that his Norwegian audience would only be able to follow him if he were to incorporate certain mythical elements that were familiar to them into his works. In these last plays, Ibsen attempts to overcome the appalling and inexplicable world of the trolls and to examine the protagonist's demonic inner self and his or her hidden motivations. Not only does the troll represent the evil dormant in man, but the troll also, because of its odd supernatural powers, often dupes men by its human-like exterior and entices them to their eventual demise. The troll, who for Ibsen's audience is actually the devil in disguise, has one purpose and that is to steal the soul and assure the death of one of the characters in the play. |
