Act 1

The play opens in a workroom in Halvard Solness's house where his assistant, Knut Brovik, and his son Ragnar are working on blueprints, and Kaja Fosli is tending the books. Knut, who is having difficulty breathing, declares, "I can't go on much longer," noting that his health is quickly deteriorating. His son shows great concern over his father's condition. Knut refuses to go home and rest until he has tried to convince Solness to recognize his son's drafting abilities and to allow him to head a project. Solness, however, insists that Ragnar is not yet talented enough to work independently. Knut admits that Ragnar drew up plans for one of Solness's clients who considered them new and modern, an assessment that angers Solness.

Solness accuses Kaja of being behind Knut's request, so that she and Ragnar could marry. Kaja, however, insists she has had no part in...