‘One has remembered —’

Abstract

While the scenes of Act IV take place mainly in the sands of various parts of North Africa, suggesting the barren nature of Peer’s conceited quest for power and admiration, a large part of Act v is located in various parts of the Norwegian highlands, either near a dried river-bed, with old farmhouses more or less in ruins in the background, or on the heath where charred tree-trunks stretching for miles give evidence of a recent forest fire. This land of drought and charcoal is an appropriate environment for the many accusations regarding failed opportunities, deeds undone and broken promises. Peer is now an old man with grey hair and beard, and he is constantly reminded that his life is wasted on futile efforts and completely vain projects.