The Vikings at () is 's seventh play. It was written during 1857 and first performed at Christiania Norske Theater in Oslo on 24 November 1858. The story takes place during the time of Erik Blood-axe () in the north of Norway in historic , a time in which Norwegian society was adjusting from the tradition of Old Norse Sagas to the new era of Christianity. It concerns the arrival of , who with his seven sons is seeking his daughter, , and foster-daughter, , who were abducted and married by and , respectively. Tragedy compounded by conceptions of honour and duty lead to the deaths of all of 's sons, (who is killed by ), and (by suicide). The plot is reminiscent of the Germanic myth of Sigmund and Brynhilde.
Characters the Strong, Sea-King , rich farmer , Icelandic Chieftain , 's foster daughter 's daughter , 's and Hjørdis' four-year-old son , peasant
Translations This play was translated into English by Scottish writer and critic William Archer as a part of his publication 's Prose Dramas Vol. III. This volume consisted of Lady Inger of Östrat (); The Vikings at (); and The Pretenders (). It was published by The Walter Scott Company, London in 1890.Henrik Ibsen's Prose Dramas Vol III (The Walter Scott Company, London. 1890)
Legacy The appearance of the character in this play is considered to have contributed to the revival of the popularity of this name in Norway and in Scandinavia in general, in the second half of the 19th century.
References
Other sources James McFarlane, editor (1962). The Oxford Ibsen, Volume II. Oxford University Press. . James McFarlane, editor (1994). The Cambridge Companion to Ibsen. Cambridge University Press. .
External links
The Vikings of Helgeland. translated by William Archer