Consummation through Twin Suicides in Ibsen

In the course of literary criticism, various critics have been analyzing the socio-economic and psychological dimensions of the theme of suicide in Ibsen‘s plays. In the present study of Ibsen‘s Rosmersholm (1886) and When We Dead Awaken (1899) the same theme has been explored from a different angle in order to reveal those provocative hidden motives that make an individual embrace death so willingly. Consequently, suicide does not remain a selfdestructive act but a means to achieve union with one‘s soul mate. By committing twin suicides the true couples of the plays i.e., Rosmer, Rebecca and Rubek, Irene reach the zenith of consummation, where the concept of suicide as an impulsive mental condition is negated. Rather it becomes a hermit like reclusive state of mind, when all the corporeal desires and worldly distractions become meaningless and the glories of a peaceful existence of the world hereafter manifest themselves to the ones who happily give away their lives for it. Putting together the fragments of their memories, these characters eventually enable themselves to approach an integrated vision which in their perception leads them to success but to the world may seem an utter failure resulting in their fruitless deaths. Consummation through Twin Suicides in Ibsen 101 With the growing interest in the field of human psychology, nineteenth century Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen gives a new perspective to the self annihilating tendencies of his characters. He gives suicide a substantial focus in his plays. Especially his two plays Rosmersholm (1886) and When We Dead Awaken (1899), deal with twin suicides, which stand out in terms of bequeathing a new outlook to the traditional concept of suicide and the horror associated with it. It no longer remains a tragic act, committed by people who are completely shattered and put an end to their lives due to uncontrollable circumstances. Suicide becomes a safe haven for the ones who can no longer satisfy their spiritual and intellectual needs in this world of flesh and blood. During the course of my study, I shall examine different factors that contribute to an individual‘s decision to commit suicide and will relate those with the characters of the plays under discussion. Moreover, an attempt will be made to analyse the forces that regulate their decisions and give them courage to look death in the eye and opt suicide as their escape from the conflicts they are facing. Though the two pairs Rosmer, Rebecca and Rubek, Irene are led by different motives, both succeed eventually to consummate their relationship by annihilating themselves physically. Though it does not seem to be their quest right from the outset, it is a kind of spiritual consummation where a person achieves wholeness by embracing death, yet leaving behind all feelings of remorse, guilt and shame. First, let us study the phenomenon of suicide and its implications. It is an attempt to inflict death upon oneself and is intentional rather than consequential in nature (Fairbairn 58). Normally, attempts at suicide and suicidal thoughts or feelings are a symptom indicating that a person is unable to cope with something overwhelmingly traumatic that has happened in the past and which has somehow become the source of his guilt in the present. Due to the pressures of the past, a person plunges deep into the depths of depression and experiences a void in his life and in order to make this void meaningful, he commits suicide. In Ibsen such situations usually arise due to incompatible marriages and their resulting