Produced by Martin Adamson. HTML version by Al Haines.

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

by

Henrik Ibsen

Translated by R. Farquharson Sharp

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

A play in five acts

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Dr. Thomas Stockmann, Medical Officer of the Municipal Baths. Mrs. Stockmann, his wife. Petra (their daughter) a teacher. Ejlif & Morten (their sons, aged 13 and 10 respectively). Peter Stockmann (the Doctor's elder brother), Mayor of the Town and Chief Constable, Chairman of the Baths' Committee, etc. Morten Kiil, a tanner (Mrs. Stockmann's adoptive father). Hovstad, editor of the "People's Messenger." Billing, sub-editor. Captain Horster. Aslaksen, a printer.

Men of various conditions and occupations, a few women, and a troop of schoolboys--the audience at a public meeting.

The action takes place in a coastal town in southern Norway,

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

ACT I

(SCENE.--DR. STOCKMANN'S sitting-room. It is evening. The room is plainly but neatly appointed and furnished. In the right-hand wall are two doors; the farther leads out to the hall, the nearer to the doctor's study. In the left-hand wall, opposite the door leading to the hall, is a door leading to the other rooms occupied by the family. In the middle of the same wall stands the stove, and, further forward, a couch with a looking-glass hanging over it and an oval table in front of it. On the table, a lighted lamp, with a lampshade. At the back of the room, an open door leads to the dining-room. BILLING is seen sitting at the dining table, on which a lamp is burning. He has a napkin tucked under his chin, and MRS. STOCKMANN is standing by the table handing him a large plate-full of roast beef. The other places at the table are empty, and the table somewhat in disorder, evidently a meal having recently been finished.)

Mrs. Stockmann. You see, if you come an hour late, Mr. Billing, you have to put up with cold meat.

Billing (as he eats). It is uncommonly good, thank you--remarkably good.

Mrs. Stockmann. My husband makes such a point of having his meals punctually, you know.

Billing. That doesn't affect me a bit. Indeed, I almost think I enjoy a meal all the better when I can sit down and eat all by myself, and undisturbed.

Mrs. Stockmann. Oh well, as long as you are enjoying it--. (Turns to the hall door, listening.) I expect that is Mr. Hovstad coming too.

Billing. Very likely.

Table of contents (by pages)

• 1: An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen
• 2: Stockmann a little embarrassed
• 3: Peter Stockmann lowering his voice a little
• 4: Stockmann turning in the doorway
• 5: Stockmann from the dining room
• 6: Stockmann coming from the dining room
• 7: Stockmann going into the dining room
• 8: Stockmann getting up and going to her
• 9: There is an immense dining room downstairs Petra laughing
• 10: Stockmann standing still by the table
• 11: Stockmann showing him the letter
• 12: Stockmann walking about happily
• 13: Stockmann putting the papers in his pocket
• 14: STOCKMANN follows him into the hall
• 15: STOCKMANN On a chair on the other side of the table
• 16: This superstition must be destroyed
• 17: And even supposing they didn't like it Aslaksen
• 18: But Aslaksen seemed to me so thoroughly well intentioned
• 19: Peter Stockmann after a pause
• 20: Whether you drink it or bathe in it
• 21: Peter Stockmann after a short pause
• 22: And I wrote and wrote Peter Stockmann
• 23: Stockmann controlling himself
• 24: Peter Stockmann looking at PETRA
• 25: Stockmann walking up and down
• 26: Stockmann bursting into tears
• 27: Aslaksen is a chicken hearted chap
• 28: Doctor proceed with moderation
• 29: Stockmann is a friend of the people
• 30: Hovstad sitting down at his desk
• 31: PETRA comes in by the outer door
• 32: I don't rightly know how to Petra
• 33: Aslaksen coming from the printing room
• 34: Chiefly among the small tradesmen
• 35: That the entire town Aslaksen
• 36: Aslaksen without turning round
• 37: But you are extremely easily duped
• 38: Peter Stockmann following him about
• 39: Stockmann taking his hat and stick
• 40: Peter Stockmann shaking his head seriously
• 41: Aslaksen was elected with enthusiasm
• 42: Stockmann has public opinion against him
• 43: Aslaksen with his hand on his bell
• 44: ASLAKSEN rings his bell violently
• 45: ASLAKSEN rings his bell and begs for silence
• 46: Don't talk nonsense about well ascertained truths
• 47: Stockmann when the noise has somewhat abated
• 48: Lack of oxygen weakens the conscience
• 49: I tell you that Aslaksen ringing his bell
• 50: Aslaksen with the voting papers in his hands
• 51: Stockmann from the sitting room
• 52: Stockmann looking at the letter
• 53: Stockmann laughing and rubbing his hands
• 54: That was just what I had come to speak about Dr
• 55: STOCKMANN and PETRA into the sitting room
• 56: Public opinion is an extremely mutable thing
• 57: Peter Stockmann restraining him
• 58: STOCKMANN shuts the door after him
• 59: And HOVSTAD and ASLAKSEN make their appearance
• 60: Stockmann looks in front of him
• 61: Aslaksen running round the writing table
• 62: PETRA takes the card and goes out to the hall
• 63: Stockmann smiling and shaking her head