Bjørnstjerne Martinus Bjørnson, Kongen [The King]

Kathy Rees (Independent Scholar - Europe)

Ed. by Susan Brantly, University of Wisconsin
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.3.5: Norwegian Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Sven Hakon Rossel (Universitat Wien), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen (University College London), Anja Tröger (University of Edinburgh)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1877

Places

Norway (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Play

Resources

This play explores the issues of constitutional monarchy from the perspective of a king who is sympathetic to socialist notions, but who is surrounded by courtiers and officials that have vested interests in resisting republicanism. At first the king is something of a Prince Hal: he indulges in a life of pleasure seeking, hoping that he would be able to dull his sense of the sharp contrast between his position and his ideals. His conscience, however, forces him to consider positive action, planning to transform the monarchy into something more consonant with contemporary demands. Although in spirit and ambition he is a Henry V, he is thwarted by prejudice, ignorance and tragedy.

The play is a curious mixture of genres: it …

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1229 words

Citation: Rees, Kathy. "Kongen". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 September 2016 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35812, accessed 23 November 2024.]

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