As an example of the first generation, this paper will focus on Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt published in 1867. For exemplification of the second generation, Oscar Wilde’s Salomé first published in 1891 will be studied. Finding similarities between two plays, showing how they fulfill the specific elements of symbolism and sometimes decadence, and analyzing the main symbols in the plays are the main purpose of this paper. Although Peer Gynt and Salomé are not quite similar to each other, the authors of the plays used the same technique of creating a new story from the ashes of an old. This paper will start by comparing Ibsen and Wilde’s styles, and why they chose to base their modern plays on old stories. Before analyzing these plays, it will be shown that these two plays are not from the pure imaginations of the authors and that the playwrights were inspired by ancient stories. Thus, some background information on each play will be given. Secondly, this paper will discuss the features and content of Peer Gynt. Structure and the content are very important in this play because it is written in poetic language, and thus is very different from his previous conventional plays. The play is about a young man in his twenties. He is dreaming and recounting his dreams to others. He is accused of being a liar because the dreams he recounts are not true. He makes up adventures that he in fact wants to experience. The play has five acts and it is not structured as a well-made play. Finally, the symbolism in Salomé will be analyzed. Salomé is not a poetic drama and has a different style from Peer Gynt. However, the basic idea is the same. This story is based on a biblical story about the prophet John who is executed by the Tetrarch.