The Master Builder characters

Also known as The Master Builder

Appears from the start

A celebrated architect who rose from building churches to designing houses and now dominates his profession locally. He is commanding, imaginative, and deeply insecure about younger talent. Although professionally successful, he is burdened by guilt about the fire that enabled his career and by fear that the same mysterious force that granted his wishes may bring his fall.

Appears from the start

Solness's wife, a reserved woman whose family home and possessions were destroyed by fire. The couple's infant sons died in the aftermath, and she has organized her life around duty rather than happiness. She is preparing to move into the new house Solness has built for them but feels no sense of homecoming.

Appears from the start

A confident young woman who arrives at the Solness home after a long journey. She says she met Solness ten years earlier when, after climbing a church tower during its dedication, he treated her like a princess and promised to return in ten years to give her a kingdom. She has come to demand fulfillment of that promise.

Appears from the start

An elderly architect formerly in business for himself, now employed in Solness's office. Frail and near death, he longs to see his son Ragnar receive independent recognition before he dies.

Appears from the start

Knut Brovik's son, a talented architectural draftsman working under Solness. He wants to leave and undertake a commission of his own, but needs Solness to endorse his design and ability.

Appears from the start

The office bookkeeper, engaged to Ragnar Brovik. Solness believes she is emotionally attached to him and uses that attachment to keep her, and therefore Ragnar, in his employment.

Appears from the start

The Solness family's physician and trusted friend. He notices the strain within the household and initially wonders whether Hilda's sudden arrival is connected to Solness's mental state.