Everything about Danish Literature totally explained
Danish literature is, for the purposes of this article, the subset of
Scandinavian literature composed in Denmark or by Danish people. Its history stretches from the Middle Ages into modern times and includes authors such as
Saxo Grammaticus,
Hans Christian Andersen and
Karen Blixen.
Middle Ages
The earliest preserved texts from Denmark are
runic inscriptions on memorial stones and other objects. Some of those contain short poems in
alliterative verse. The advent of Christianity in the 10th century brought Denmark into contact with European learning, including the Latin alphabet and the Latin language, but it wasn't until the late 12th century that this was to bear significant literary fruit in
Gesta Danorum an ambitious historical work by
Saxo Grammaticus. Saxo's work is an important primary source for the study of
Scandinavian myths and legends as well as a lively account of
Danish history up to the author's own time. Other medieval literary works include the Danish ballads, more than 500 of which are known.
The 16th and 17th Centuries
The 16th century brought the
Lutheran Reformation to Denmark and a new period in the nation's literature. Major authors of the time include the humanist
Christiern Pedersen, who translated the New Testament into Danish, and
Poul Helgesen who vigorously opposed the Reformation. The 16th century also saw Denmark's earliest plays, including the works of
Hieronymus Justesen Ranch. The 17th century was an era of renewed interest in Scandinavian antiquities with scholars like
Ole Worm at the forefront. Though religious dogmatism was on the rise the passionate hymns of
Thomas Kingo transcended the genre with personal expression. External struggles with Sweden and internal rivalries among the nobility leading to Denmark's
absolute monarchy in 1660 are chronicled from a royal prisoner's
redemptive perspective in
Jammersminde (Remembered Woes), in the heartfelt prose of
Leonora Christina of the Blue Tower, written 1673–1698, but first published in 1869.
Writers
18th century
19th century
Hans Christian Andersen
Herman Bang
Jens Peter Jacobsen
Søren Kierkegaard
Adam Oehlenschläger
20th century
Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen)
Peter Høeg
Johannes Vilhelm Jensen
Svend Aage Madsen
Martin Andersen Nexø
Dan TurèllFurther Information
Get more info on 'Danish Literature'.
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