Peer Gynt Summary

A charming, imaginative, but ultimately self-serving wanderer.

Peer is a complex character, initially portrayed as a lazy, boastful, yet charismatic young peasant. He is a dreamer, prone to fantastical storytelling, which often serves as an escape from reality and responsibility. Throughout his life, he seeks to define himself, often by adopting various roles – lover, businessman, prophet, scholar – but always falls short of genuine commitment or self-awareness. His driving force is a desire for self-preservation and self-sufficiency, embodied by the troll motto 'to thyself be enough,' which leads him to evade difficult choices and genuine human connection. He fears losing his individuality but struggles to find a true, consistent 'self.'

Relationships: Åse (His doting but exasperated mother; his primary familial bond.); Solveig (His unwavering, faithful love interest and eventual redeemer.); Ingrid (The bride he kidnaps and abandons.); Green-Clad Woman (Troll princess and a representation of his temptation and past transgressions.); Anitra (A Bedouin dancer who seduces and robs him.); Button-Molder (The supernatural figure representing divine judgment and the threat of losing his identity.)

The embodiment of unwavering love, faith, and constancy.

Solveig is a pure, pious, and steadfast young woman who represents unconditional love and fidelity. From their first meeting, she is drawn to Peer, despite his rough exterior and bad reputation. She dedicates her entire life to waiting for him, embodying patience, hope, and unwavering faith. She never wavers in her commitment, acting as a moral anchor throughout Peer's chaotic journey, even in his prolonged absence. Her simple, profound love ultimately offers Peer the only true path to redemption and self-realization, providing the 'home' and 'self' he desperately sought.

Relationships: Peer Gynt (Her lifelong love and the object of her unwavering devotion.)

Peer's loving but long-suffering mother.

Åse is Peer's mother, a strong-willed but ultimately loving woman who constantly struggles with her son's wild imagination, laziness, and irresponsible behavior. She is often exasperated by his tall tales and lack of ambition but also deeply cares for him, trying to guide him towards a more stable life. Her death scene is one of the most poignant in the play, as Peer, for perhaps the first time, offers her genuine comfort and a loving, fantastical send-off, showcasing a rare moment of selfless affection from him.

Relationships: Peer Gynt (Her son, whom she loves despite his many flaws.)

A divine agent who threatens to melt down Peer's unformed soul.

The Button-Molder is a mysterious, supernatural figure who appears to Peer in his old age, representing divine judgment. He informs Peer that he has failed to be a true 'self,' having neither fully committed to good nor evil, and therefore must be melted down and recast, losing his individuality. He embodies the play's central philosophical question about identity and the consequences of living a life without genuine purpose or commitment. He is not malicious but rather an impartial executor of cosmic law, forcing Peer to confront the emptiness of his life.

Relationships: Peer Gynt (The agent of Peer's final judgment and the catalyst for his self-reckoning.)

The ruler of the troll kingdom, representing self-sufficiency and moral compromise.

The Old Man of the Mountains is the king of the trolls, a grotesque and cunning figure who attempts to indoctrinate Peer into the troll way of life. He embodies the philosophy of 'to thyself be enough,' which encourages selfishness, self-deception, and a rejection of human moral standards. He offers Peer wealth and power in exchange for renouncing his humanity, particularly his ability to distinguish between right and wrong. His character highlights the dangers of moral relativism and the allure of an unexamined life purely focused on self-gratification.

Relationships: Peer Gynt (Attempts to corrupt Peer and initiate him into the troll world.); Green-Clad Woman (His daughter, whom he offers to Peer as a bride.)

The Troll King's daughter, a symbol of Peer's youthful folly and its consequences.

The Green-Clad Woman is the seductive daughter of the Old Man of the Mountains. She entices Peer into the troll kingdom and nearly becomes his wife. She later reappears with a grotesque, half-troll child, serving as a physical manifestation of Peer's past mistakes and the lingering consequences of his irresponsible actions. Her presence prevents Peer from settling down with Solveig, symbolizing the guilt and unresolved issues that haunt him throughout his life. She represents the easy, tempting path that leads to spiritual and moral compromise.

Relationships: Peer Gynt (His temporary lover and the mother of his troll-child.); Old Man of the Mountains (Her father.)

The director of a lunatic asylum who crowns Peer 'Emperor of Self.'

Begriffenfeldt is the eccentric and deluded director of a lunatic asylum in Cairo. He represents a twisted form of intellectualism and a world where self-delusion is celebrated. He elevates Peer to the status of 'Emperor of Self,' believing Peer embodies the ultimate individual. His character, and the asylum itself, serve as a satirical commentary on modern society's embrace of self-absorption and the breakdown of objective truth. He provides Peer with a temporary, albeit false, sense of identity and validation.

Relationships: Peer Gynt (His 'patient' whom he misinterprets as a profound philosopher.)

A Bedouin dancer who seduces and robs Peer.

Anitra is a young Bedouin dancer who captivates Peer during his time as a prophet in the desert. She is alluring and cunning, initially flattering Peer and playing into his delusions of grandeur. However, she ultimately seduces him, steals his horse and money, and leaves him stranded, exposing his vulnerability and his consistent pattern of being exploited by those he seeks to exploit. She represents the fleeting pleasures and superficial connections Peer often seeks, which ultimately leave him emptier.

Relationships: Peer Gynt (His brief lover whom she robs.)