Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What Norwegian folk tradition influenced Peer Gynt?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Henrik Ibsen
Norwegian dramatist and poet Henrik Ibsen.
The title character of Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt is based on a legendary Norwegian folk hero.1
While the play is widely recognized for exploring and satirizing Norwegian culture, the protagonist is specifically modeled after this traditional folk figure, reimagined by Ibsen as a charming but lazy and arrogant peasant youth who embarks on a series of disastrous adventures.12