HEIBERG, GUNNAR

(1857-1929)

A Norwegian dramatist,critic, and essayist, Heiberg was overshadowed by the achievement ofHenrik Ibsen. His first play,Tante Ulrikke(1884; Aunt Ulrikke), offers a dramatic representation of the struggle of one of Norway's leading earlyfeminists, Aasta Hansteen (1824-1908).Kong Midas(1890; King Midas) accusedBjørnstjerne Bjørnsonof being self-righteous, whileKunstnere(1893; Artists) andGerts have(1894; Gert's Garden) have a lighter mood.Balkonen(1894; tr.The Balcony, 1922) andKjærlighedens tragedie(1904; tr.The Tragedy of Love, 1921) explore the tension between erotic love and everyday reality.Jeg vil værge mit land(1912; I Shall Defend My Country) is set in 1905 and deals with the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden. Heiberg's essays abundantly attest to familiarity with contemporary culture and his keen sense of stagecraft. Two important volumes areIbsen og Bjørnson pa scenen(1918; Ibsen and Bjørnson on the Stage) andNorsk teater(1920; Norwegian Theater).

See alsoTheater.