On June 12, 1883, Ibsen wrote to Brandes in a letter from Rome: "At this time I am busy sketching a new dramatic work in four acts. As days and years go by, various screws gather inside a person, which of course they would gladly like to give an outlet to. But, since the work does not deal with the problems of the Supreme Court or with the absolute veto, or even with the proper standards of the flag, - it can therefore not expect any attention from the Norwegian side. In the meantime, however, there is hope somewhere else that it will not go so unnoticed."

A few days later, he was leaving for a trip to Tyrol, but that same autumn he returned again to Rome, where he continued his work. On June 25, 1884, exactly one year later, in another letter to Brandes he writes: "My new work, a drama in five acts, is already finished in bouillon and I am completely absorbed in it."