Ibsen's masterpiece Rosmersholm is a play centered around social constriction. The characters are at war with social mores, religious ethics, and even themselves--much like real-life society. During the time the play was written, European populace was introduced to liberal ideology and political corruption. Europe had entered the joint-age of New Imperialism and the Second Industrial Revolution (Civilization in the West, n.d.).
Johannes Rosmer - Rosmer is a former clergyman, and the owner of the Rosmersholm manor. Aristocrat by birth and plebeian by choice, Rosmer's decision to support the new, radical government and liberal thought was not only scandalous, but point of serious contention between him and his brother-law, Professor Kroll. Rosmer feels he has an “imperative duty to bring light and joy here, where for so long the Rosmer tradition has created darkness and oppression” (Ibsen).
Rebecca West - A resident at Rosmersholm. Although Rosmer insists, throughout much of the play that their relationship is purely platonic, it is apparent the two are in love. West is a woman of high motivation and enlightenment, and is hell-bent on control and self-preservation. The agent of Beata's suicide, towards the end of the play she confesses “It was like a fight to the death between Beata and me" (Ibsen).
Professor Kroll - Kroll is a Professor and a man who believes Rosmer has disgraced his family heritage. “...you have a duty to your family traditions, Rosmer! Remember that! From time immemorial Rosmersholm has stood as a center of discipline and order - of respect and reverence for everything upheld and esteemed by the best in our society. The whole region around has taken its character from Rosmersholm....” (Ibsen)
Ulrik Brendel - Brendel is Rosmer's former tutor. “He has unkempt hair and beard, and is dressed like a common tramp. No overcoat; down at heel; no shirt visible. He is wearing old black gloves, and has a wide-awake hat crumpled under his arm, and a stick in his hand” (Ibsen).
Peder Mortensgaard - Mortensgaard is a newspaper editor whom Rosmer accused of adultery while still a preist. Brendel says "Peder Mortensgaard has in him a natural turn for omnipotence" (Ibsen).
Mrs. Helseth - Mrs. Helseth is Rosmer's housekeeper. At the end of the play, after witnessing both his and Rebecca's suicide, she screams in terror "The dead woman has taken them" (Ibsen).
Rebecca West - A resident at Rosmersholm. Although Rosmer insists, throughout much of the play that their relationship is purely platonic, it is apparent the two are in love. West is a woman of high motivation and enlightenment, and is hell-bent on control and self-preservation. The agent of Beata's suicide, towards the end of the play she confesses “It was like a fight to the death between Beata and me" (Ibsen).
Professor Kroll - Kroll is a Professor and a man who believes Rosmer has disgraced his family heritage. “...you have a duty to your family traditions, Rosmer! Remember that! From time immemorial Rosmersholm has stood as a center of discipline and order - of respect and reverence for everything upheld and esteemed by the best in our society. The whole region around has taken its character from Rosmersholm....” (Ibsen)
Ulrik Brendel - Brendel is Rosmer's former tutor. “He has unkempt hair and beard, and is dressed like a common tramp. No overcoat; down at heel; no shirt visible. He is wearing old black gloves, and has a wide-awake hat crumpled under his arm, and a stick in his hand” (Ibsen).
Peder Mortensgaard - Mortensgaard is a newspaper editor whom Rosmer accused of adultery while still a preist. Brendel says "Peder Mortensgaard has in him a natural turn for omnipotence" (Ibsen).
Mrs. Helseth - Mrs. Helseth is Rosmer's housekeeper. At the end of the play, after witnessing both his and Rebecca's suicide, she screams in terror "The dead woman has taken them" (Ibsen).