Ibsen's Psyche Evolution And The Transformation In His Late Plays

Ibsen's work is regarded as another peak after Shakespeare in the history of drama,and his late drama is considered to be the top of the peak,which is also the treasure of Ibsen's thought and a hot issue in the study of Ibsen.Many scholars believe that Ibsen's late drama reveals his pessimism.But in my perspective,on most occasions,his late tragic works mean that Ibsen and his characters "born to die" or enter a higher level of life and art.what is more,the transformation at the end of the play often means the change of characters' spirit.In this kind of transformation,the dramatist deepens the spiritual implication of his plays through the "instant aesthetic maximization" and finally points to "Psyche Evolution".Ibsen once addressed a speech at a banquet at Stockholm,Sweden in the autumn of 1887,and he said,"I believe the theory of evolution in science also applies to the spirit of life".In combination with his plays,letters,speeches,notes,etc.,we could gradually summarize Ibsen's "Theory of Psyche Evolution".This article is divided into four chapters.The first chapter mainly discusses the connotation and source of Ibsen's theory of psyche evolution.Ibsen's Psyche Evolution Theory contains at least the connotations of the three parts:1.the spiritual movement never stops;2.the spiritual movement could develop,and it can develop from low level to advanced level;3.art,religion and philosophy will integrate and be promoted.Therefore,Ibsen's Theory of Psyche Evolution is based on Darwin's evolutionary thought,with Hegel's spiritual phenomenology as the core,Kierkegaard's "life development stage theory" and"instantaneous aesthetic maximization" thought as the supplement,and then integrated with Ibsen's personal experiences and ideas.The second chapter takes<Rosmersholm>as an example,and analyzes how the main characters Rosmer and Rebecca change from the process of escaping or neglecting the death of Beata,to face his own sin and to redeem themselves.Also,I analyze the deep cause behind this "transformation"-the two main characters have formed new values on life,and this makes them want to practice a self spiritual ascension that transcends religion.Their behavior thus proves that "morality is the law in human nature".Therefore,we could have confidence in human nature and the possibility of freedom.The third chapter takes<The Master Builder>as an example.In this chapter,I mainly analyze how the main character,Solness,overcome his three dilemmas(the realistic dilemma,the art dilemma and the soul dilemma)after entering his middle age,and how he changes from a selfish,brutal,cold blood man to a better man.Behind this transformation,we can find Solness's spiritual level was promoted by the arrival of Hilda.He entered a new realm and produced new ideas,which transcended religious heights and traditional morality.He is fascinated by the spiritual Utopia which can hold "human's happiness".It is a transcendental philosophical world,and it is an ideal of happiness and free will.Besides,It enables one to think independently rather than to be dependent on any other thing.Therefore,Psyche Evolution is possible.The fourth chapter takes<Little Eyolf>as an example,mainly analyzes the process of how the two main characters Allmers and Rita,a sinful couple,because of the drowning of little Eyolf,achieve understanding and devotion from complaint and aversion,and also the motive behind this change:altruism.In<Little Eyolf>,Ibsen is no longer confined to the irreconcilable contradiction between free will and sin,and he no longer holds that only death can achieve Psyche Evolution.As for the way to achieve his idea,he offered another possibility to judge value by free will and to choose how to redeem himself by free will,and finally he chose altruism.At this point,Ibsen's Theory of Psyche Evolution seems to be developed to a new level.In a word,this article tries to analyze Ibsen's late plays and to gradually draw out the theory of Ibsen's Psyche Evolution.Then it will help us to explore the hidden meaning of the "transformation" in the end of his late drama as well as to get a better understanding about the ideological connotation of his late plays.