In the drama "The Wild Duck", the problems of individual self-awareness have intensified, but we will not detect a clear division between good and evil: here there are not only positive or only negative characters - everyone lives with their own faults, with their own illusions and weaknesses. Many critics consider The Wild Duck to be Ibsen's best work, and the play is still considered the first masterpiece of tragicomedy.

The piece tells the story of a young man, Gregers Werle, who returns to his parents' house in his hometown after a long time and meets his childhood friend Jalmar Ekdal. In the long run, Gregers, who persistently pursues the absolute truth, or the title of "Proclaimer of Ideals", reveals many secrets behind the seemingly happy Ekdal household.

Gregars, guided by his ideals of truth, reveals the lie - the Ekdals have lived in a world of illusions for many years, they are afraid to admit reality. Gregers Verlė is convinced that such an insight will make his friend's life much better, fairer and freer, but the opposite happens. The main character, in order to reveal the truth and wish people good, basically destroys the life of the Ekdals. At a friend's house, the truth turns deadly and leads to one of the most shocking tragedies that Ibsen depicted.