Peer Gynt

Peer Gynt is a play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It was written in 1867, and first performed in Oslo (then called Christiania) on February 24, 1876, with incidental music by the composer Edvard Grieg .

• "Ja, tenke det; ønske det; ville det med; men gjøre det! Nei; det skjønner jeg ikke!"
  • Translation: "To think it, wish it, even want it - but do it! No, that I cannot understand."
  • Notes: Peer Gynt says this after he sees a boy cut off his finger to avoid serving in the army.

• "Om jeg hamrer eller hamres; likefullt så skal der jamres!"
  • Translation: "Whether I pound or am being pounded; all the same it will be moaning!"
  • Notes: Rhymes in Norwegian. Peer complains that no matter what he does, it isn't what people want.