(presentation lesson: political factors)

Within the 1800's there was a time of great political upheaval, not only in Sweden but across the world as well, with an expanded British empire and the Americans giving up slavery there was all sorts of economic upheaval from across the world that affected Sweden. Considering how also they were in a transitional period in the way of their government as well it can be seen that there was a lot for Strindberg to draw upon which he seemingly didn't acknowledge as much in his play. With the what was essentially Sweden's equivalent of the Magna Carta restricting the monarchy power, a strenghtened Government was formed off a parliamentary basis, much like Britain's own Government. This in turn created an interestinf form in regards to the aristocrascy of the country. With a show off resilience against the upper classes this meant animosity throughout the class divide was greatly increased in itself. Many people also emigrated out of the country itself because they needed to due to the standard of living generally available for the public itself with the first wave of emigration racking up to almost 150,000. With Strindberg being placed in between both the rich and the poor he was able to get a clear idea of what was happening to his country and despite this furthered the social divide and created a play designed off of the animosity between two groups.