Thematic Analysis of "Rosmersholm" by Henrik Ibsen.

Henrik Ibsen's play "Rosmersholm" tackles the issue of the oppression of new and radical ideas, liberal thought, and self-knowledge. The forces of oppression at work in the play range from organized political forces to interior motivations that distract one from completely realizing self-actualization. A battle is taking place between those who want to change the course of future events and establish a new order and those who wish to maintain the comfortable status quo while …

…moral codes of society. Most importantly and deeply, however, the oppression can rise to the surface from the subconcious depths of one's mind, and it is in this that Rosmersholm achieves its greatest art. The play is a portrait of two confused and tortured souls struggling against themselves as well as society to carve out a niche for truly emancipated individuals. They want to be not just emancipated from society, but also emancipated from themselves.