[Ibsen and sunshine].

Abstract

It is known that some people become depressed in winter, and that treatment with light can be effective in such cases. A reasonable explanation of this depression seems to be lack of sunshine. The connection may be that light possibly influences the secretion of certain amines in the brain. The author believes that Henrik Ibsen was among those who are more dependent than others on sunshine for optimal function. This may explain why his moving from often dark, cold and rainy Norway to warm, sunny Italy in 1864 meant so much to him. It was a dramatic event in his life and he used it in his writing, especially in the three plays: Emporer and Galilean, Ghosts and When We Dead Awaken. In each of these three plays, happiness in sunshine is used as a contrast to the sadder, dark and unhappy aspect of life. Ibsen, the earnest man and author was a sunshine poet. He really loved the sun, perhaps because he himself was among those who, without sun, become depressed and downhearted and loose their love of work.