Henrik Ibsen: the father of modernism in TheatreRank, deadly pessimistic, a disease, an evil to be deprecated (Bordman and Hischak 1). Who would have thought that such words would be used to describe the work of the man who brought modernism to the theater? Henrik Ibsen's life was not to be envied. The shame that surrounded his childhood and spread into his adulthood had a great impact on his writing. Infusing his plays with highly controversial themes, which lacked the current sunny air of Victorian values ​​that Europe held in such high regard, led him to have a lasting impact on the theatre. However, despite the depression and poverty that surrounded Ibsen's life, as well as having his work often characterized as pessimistic and unwanted, he left an indelible mark on the theatre, bringing modernism to the stage through his use of reality. life had a great impact on his ability to write as well as the themes he wove into his work. Ibsen's depression began at an early age due to his mother's romantic affairs before marriage. Because of this, illegitimate children became a recurring theme in much of his work. Both of Ibsen's parents also suffered from depression and tended to be quite antisocial, which showed Henrik the importance of having relationships in life. Furthermore, poverty constantly surrounded Ibsen's childhood. Literature often served as an escape for Ibsen, the only way he could truly hide from the ever-grey cloud that was poverty and depression. Ibsen also had a great interest in painting while growing up. However, he couldn't take painting lessons because he didn't have the funds, so writing became in a sense his only option (Powers 2).Holscher 2The Political Scenario......middle of paper......roughHolscher 3is simple act of being a realist, rejecting traditional Victorian values. Ibsen showed the ugly truths of life, showing that people were not actually faithful to their partners, that the world was full of skeletons, instead of being the flawless perfection that Victorian values ​​painted it to be. Henrik's own style also changed the theater, with its social and psychological problems, as well as the lack of unresolved issues in the plots (Fletcher 1). Henrik Ibsen greatly transformed 19th century theater with the introduction of modernism. It is remarkable how Ibsen did this despite childhood depression and poverty, and the fact that his work was often criticized verbally. Ibsen's introduction of Modernism into the theater was crucial because without it, plays would not reveal the truths about society, no matter how dark..