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From Act IIIMRS. BORKMAN.
You have never loved anything outside yourself that is the real truth.
BORKMAN.
I have loved power MRS. BORKMAN.
Power, yes.
BORKMAN.
The power to create happiness all around me. MRS.
BORKMAN.
Once you had the power to make me happy. Why did you never use it?
Transl. by Michael Meyer. |
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After his
embezzlement, banker Borkman has spent years in prison and now lives in isolation,
separate from his wife, in the family house. Long ago two twin sisters, Ella and Gunhild
Rentheim, were both in love with him. He loved Ella, but spurned her because an important
business associate also wanted her. Gunhild became his wife, but they never achieved
happiness. Gunhild is embittered by the scandal and wants their son Erhart to restore the
family honour. Ella, who has given the family money, returns to the Borkman house after a
long time away. She is dying, but she feels a need to square things up both with her twin
sister and her past lover. Borkman is also bitter, because he had a higher purpose with
his action back then. He needed freedom to realize his grand schemes. The son Erhard is
eager for adventure and not ready to defend his embittered parents. He goes abroad with
the mystical and liberated Mrs Wilton, and the same evening Borkman dies after a walk in
the woods. The two sisters reconcile with each other over his body. |