How did August Strindberg depict the idea that life is ruled by punitive but righteous Powers?

August Strindberg’s belief that life is governed by "Powers"—forces he viewed as both punitive and righteous—emerged following his period of intense personal crisis, religious conversion, and study of theosophy in the 1890s.1

He reflected this worldview primarily through a series of historical plays that he began writing in 1899, such as Gustav Vasa, which is noted for its firm construction and characterization. This perspective marked a shift from his earlier focus on naturalistic social critique toward a more mystical and symbolic interpretation of existence. By depicting life as a moral struggle overseen by these divine or cosmic authorities, Strindberg moved away from his earlier revolt against social conventions and toward the themes that would eventually influence the development of Expressionist drama.1