The Plays of Sophocles, Ibsen, and Strindberg

Sophocles, Ibsen, and Strindberg wrote plays that seem to naturally connect and share similar foundations. Their plays have similar qualities and points that create an illusion of unity. There are many common bonds between the three plays Oedipus Rex, A Doll's House and "The Stronger." The most prominent qualities that these plays share take place in the areas of Illusion, Irony, and Similar Quotes.

Many illusions shadow and plague these plays. The characters "see" things that do not really exist other than in their own world. Oedipus is plagued with the illusion that he is the great savior of Thebes. His ego does not allow him to believe that he is the true murderer and destroyer of Thebes. Although Oedipus' illusion is not self-inflicted, Nora and Mrs. X share a more common thread. Nora acts out the part of the illusion of a child and thinks that her marriage to Torvald is fine. Mrs. X is also blinded by this illusion, although not as badly as Nora was. Mrs. X can see what is going to her to an extent, but refuses to accept and decides to live the illusion instead. These illusions are only small examples that tie these three plays together.

Irony provides a new pattern to knit. The irony in these three plays help discoveries to surface and aide in character flaws. Oedipus can only "see" his fate when he blinds himself to his physical sight. Torvald says to Nora "you dance as if your life depended on it." Her life truly depended on it. If she did not dance, then Torvald would have gotten the letter earlier. In "The Stronger" the irony continues. Mrs. X mentions to Miss Y about how Mr. X walks in his slippers and states, "You never have seen him in his slippers, have you?" Miss Y has seen Mr. X in his slippers and she breaks out laughing tipping Mrs. X off as to what was going on. These examples of irony help hold the common thread between these three plays.

Common quotes are another string that binds these plays together. Oedipus and Mrs. X have common quotes that they share. Mrs. X states that "You [Miss Y] don't have to say anything, I can see it all clearly now" and Oedipus says that "Through blindness I can now see." These quotes are a binding thread for these two characters. Nora, on the other hand, does not have a similar quote, but does realize what has been going on in her "Doll House" and can finally "see" what she has to do. All three of these plays have a common foundation of "seeing" reality.