Written in 1881, when melodrama and farce were still at their peak of popularity, Ibsen’sGhosts is a three-act tragedy that explores uncomfortable, even forbidden themes. It is also a highly critical commentary on the morality of the day. The play centers around the widow of a prominent Norwegian sea captain whose son returns home and, with tragic consequences, revives the ghosts of the past that she has long labored to put to rest.
Ghosts immediately became a source of controversy for its inclusion of topics like venereal disease, incest, and euthanasia, and it was banned from being performed in England for many years. Its arrival signals a shift in the nature of theatre and, despite negative criticism, it was translated into other languages and performed in Sweden, Germany, and New York within a few years of its debut. It stands now as one of the works considered to have ushered in the era of modern drama.
game?
Engstrand
Is what my game?
Regina
Looking hard at him. What are you going to fool Pastor Manders into doing, this time?
Engstrand
Sh! sh! Are you crazy? Do I want to fool Pastor Manders? Oh no! Pastor Manders has been far too good a friend to me for that. But I just wanted to say, you know—that I mean to be off home again tonight.
Regina
The sooner the better, say I.
Engstrand
Yes, but I want you with me, Regina.
Regina
Open-mouthed. You want me—? What are you talking about?
Engstrand
I want you to come home with me, I say.
Regina
Scornfully. Never in this world shall you get me home with you.
Engstrand
Oh, we’ll see about that.
Regina
Yes, you may be sure we’ll see about it! Me, that have been brought up by a lady like Mrs. Alving! Me, that am treated almost as a daughter here! Is it me you want to go home with you?—to a house like yours? For shame!
Engstrand
What the devil do you mean? Do you set yourself up against your father, you hussy?
Regina
Mutters without looking at him. You’ve said often enough I was no concern of yours.
Engstrand
Pooh! Why should you bother about that—
Regina
Haven’t you many a time sworn at me and called me a—? Fi donc!
Engstrand
Curse me, now, if ever I used such an ugly word.
Regina
Oh, I remember very well what word you used.
Engstrand
Well, but that was only when I was a bit on, don’t you know? Temptations are manifold in this world, Regina.
Regina
Ugh!
Engstrand
And besides, it was when your mother was that aggravating—I had to find something to twit her with, my child. She was always setting up for a fine lady. Mimics. “Let me go, Engstrand; let me be. Remember I was three years in Chamberlain Alving’s family at Rosenvold.” Laughs. Mercy on us! She could never forget that the Captain was made a Chamberlain while she was in service here.
Regina
Poor Mother! you very soon tormented her into her grave.
Engstrand
With a twist of his shoulders. Oh, of course! I’m to have the blame for everything.
Regina
Turns away; half aloud. Ugh—! And that leg too!
Engstrand
What do you say, my child?
Regina
Pied de mouton.
Engstrand
Is that English, eh?
Regina
Yes.
Engstrand
Ay, ay; you’ve picked up some learning out here; and that may come in useful now, Regina.
Regina
After a short silence. What do you want with me in town?
Engstrand
Can you ask what a father wants with his only child? A’n’t I a lonely, forlorn widower?
Regina
Oh, don’t try on any nonsense like that with me! Why do you want me?
Engstrand
Well, let me tell you, I’ve been thinking of setting up in a new line of business.
Regina
Contemptuously. You’ve tried that often enough, and much good you’ve done with it.
Engstrand
Yes, but this time you shall see, Regina! Devil take me—
Regina
Stamps. Stop your swearing!
Engstrand
Hush, hush; you’re right enough there, my girl. What I wanted to say was just this—I’ve laid by a very tidy pile from this Orphanage job.
Regina
Have you? That’s a good thing for you.
Engstrand
What can a man spend his ha’pence on here in this country hole?
Regina
Well, what then?
Engstrand
Why, you see, I thought of putting the money into some paying speculation. I thought of a sort of a sailor’s tavern—
Regina
Pah!
Engstrand
A regular high-class affair, of course; not any sort of pigsty for common sailors. No! damn it! it would be for captains and mates, and—and—regular swells, you know.
Regina
And I was to—?
Engstrand
You were to help, to be sure. Only for the look of the thing, you understand. Devil a bit of hard work shall you have, my girl. You shall do exactly what you like.
Regina
Oh, indeed!
Engstrand
But there must be a petticoat in the house; that’s as clear as daylight. For I want to have it a bit lively like in the evenings, with singing and dancing, and so on. You must remember they’re weary wanderers on the ocean of life. Nearer. Now don’t be a fool and stand in your own light, Regina. What’s to become of you out here? Your mistress has given you a lot of learning; but what good is that to you? You’re to look after the children at the new Orphanage, I hear. Is that the sort of thing for you, eh? Are you so dead set on wearing your life out for a pack of dirty brats?
Regina
No; if things go as I want them to—Well there’s no saying—there’s no saying.
Engstrand
What do you mean by “there’s no saying”?
Regina
Never you mind.—How much money have you saved?
Engstrand
What with one thing and another, a matter of seven or eight hundred crowns. A “krone” is equal to one shilling and three-halfpence.
Regina
That’s not so bad.
Engstrand
It’s enough to make a start with, my girl.
Regina
Aren’t you thinking of giving me any?
Engstrand
No, I’m blest if I am!
Regina
Not even of sending me a scrap of stuff for a new dress?
Engstrand
Come to town with me, my lass, and you’ll soon get dresses enough.
Regina
Pooh! I can do that on my own account, if I want to.
Engstrand
No, a father’s guiding hand is what you want, Regina. Now, I’ve got my eye on a capital house in Little Harbour Street. They don’t want much ready-money; and it could be a sort of a Sailors’ Home, you know.
Regina
But I will not live with you! I have nothing whatever to do with you. Be off!
Engstrand
You wouldn’t stop long with me, my girl. No such luck! If you knew how to play your cards, such a fine figure of a girl as you’ve grown in the last year or two—
Regina
Well?
Engstrand
You’d soon get hold of some mate—or maybe even a captain—
Regina
I won’t marry anyone of that sort. Sailors have no savoir vivre.
Engstrand
What’s that they haven’t got?
Regina
I know what sailors are, I
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