The Wild Duck

What It's About

This drama centres on the Ekdal household, where long-buried truths and carefully maintained illusions shape daily life. When an old family friend returns determined to expose deception and restore honesty, the consequences are devastating. Through intimate domestic scenes, the play examines whether truth always heals, or whether some illusions are necessary for survival.

Key Concepts

Truth versus illusion, family loyalty, sacrifice, guilt, innocence, social reputation, idealism, psychological conflict, and the cost of moral absolutism.

Why It Matters

Often regarded as one of the great modern plays, this work helped transform drama into a more psychologically realistic art form. Its layered characters and moral complexity continue to influence theatre and literature, while its questions about honesty and compassion remain timeless.

About the Author

Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright widely considered one of the founders of modern drama. His works challenged social conventions and explored individual freedom, hypocrisy, marriage, and morality.

About This Edition

This English-language edition is translated by Eleanor Marx Aveling, noted writer, activist, and translator, whose work helped introduce important European drama to English readers.