Ludvig Holberg (1684-1754) is to the Danish stage what Shakespeare Molière and Strindberg are
to their national stages - and the world. In his day Holberg was part of the European literary
canon in the Nordic region his work forms the backdrop to writers such as Søren Kierkegaard
Hans Christian Andersen Henrik Ibsen and Karen Blixen.The quality of Holberg's writing the
universality of his themes his understanding of stage and auditorium more than qualify him to
resume his place on the international stage.This first volume in a trilogy of new translations
starts by presenting Holberg's 'poetics of dramaturgy' in the short treatise Just Justesen's
Ref lections on Theatre followed by two of his robust comedies dealing with power illusion
and dreams of greatness.Jeppe of The Hill depicts the lowly peasant who is momentarily elevated
to a position of splendour. Clad in the trappings of his new and powerful status he is soon
well on the way to upending the established social order. But alas it was all a stage-managed
trick exposing the fundamental dilemma of (his) existence: Am I dreaming or am I
awake?Ulysses von Ithacia is essentially a surreal harlequinade about self-delusion craving
for empire and the heroic roles played in corridors of power.A metatheatrical play exposing the
absurdity of war and stripping this pompous ruler of his 'new clothes'.I never tire of reading
Holberg's plays.Henrik Ibsen 1869
