Swedish enlightenment literature was written between approximately 1732 and 1809. [1] Key figures included the mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, the botanist Carl Linnaeus, the poet Johan Henrik Kellgren and the songwriter and performer Carl Michael Bellman.
There were only a few notable writers in spiritual matters in the 18th century. The most notable exception is Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772) who published some 30 mystical 30 works, such as Heaven and its Wonders and Hell From Things Heard and Seen (1758). Swedenborg almost exclusively wrote in Latin, but his work did have a significant influence on others for centuries to come. [2] [3]
In the 18th century, Latin accelerated its decline in favor of the national language. One of the first proponents of producing material for a general public was the botanist Carl Linnaeus (1700–1772). Later key figures included the poet Johan Henrik Kellgren and the songwriter and performer Carl Michael Bellman.
Carl Michael Bellman (1740–1795) is one of few Swedish 18th century characters who has never lost the appreciation of common people. He was born in Stockholm and lived there for most of his life. Education did not turn out well; instead he became interested in pleasurable activities. He made himself a reputation as a cheerful poet and singer-songwriter. [4] [5]
Bellman's two principal works are Fredman's Epistles ("Fredmans epistlar") in 1790 and Fredman's Songs ("Fredmans sånger") in 1791, each comprising some 80 songs. A striking theme is the freedom with which his main characters display themselves: they drink anywhere at any time, and make love anywhere at any time. All the same, death is always lurking around the corner. [4]
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Carl Michael Bellman was a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, poet and entertainer. He is a central figure in the Swedish song tradition and remains a powerful influence in Swedish music, as well as in Scandinavian literature, to this day. He has been compared to Shakespeare, Beethoven, Mozart, and Hogarth, but his gift, using elegantly rococo classical references in comic contrast to sordid drinking and prostitution—at once regretted and celebrated in song—is unique.
Emanuel Swedenborg was a Swedish pluralistic-Christian theologian, scientist, philosopher and mystic. He is best known for his book on the afterlife, Heaven and Hell (1758).
Swedish literature refers to literature written in the Swedish language or by writers from Sweden.
Johan Henrik Kellgren was a Swedish poet and critic.
Maria Kristina Kiellström, known as Maja Stina, was a Swedish silk worker and alleged prostitute.
Swedish Romantic literature denotes Swedish literature between 1809 and 1830. In Europe, the period from circa 1805–1840 is known as Romanticism. It was also strongly featured in Sweden, based on German influences. During this relatively short period, there were so many great Swedish poets, that the era is referred to as the Golden Age of Swedish poetry. The period started around 1810 when several periodicals were published that contested the literature of the 18th century. An important society was the Gothic Society (1811), and their periodical Iduna, a romanticised retrospect to Gothicismus.
Fredmans epistlar is a collection of 82 poems set to music by Carl Michael Bellman, a major figure in Swedish 18th century song. Though first published in 1790, it was created over a period of twenty years from 1768 onwards. A companion volume, Fredmans sånger was published the following year.
Olof Åhlström was a Swedish civil servant, composer and music publisher.
Paul Britten Austin was an English author, translator, broadcaster, administrator, and scholar of Swedish literature.
Lovisa von Plat, also known under the names Platskan and Moster von Platen was a Swedish brothel owner and procurer, active in Stockholm for about forty years until her death. She belonged to the elite of her trade and became a known figure of her time, mentioned in memoirs, diaries and literature.
Events from the year 1772 in Sweden
Events from the year 1790 in Sweden
Events from the year 1791 in Sweden
Events from the year 1795 in Sweden
Hvila vid denna källa, is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's best-known and best-loved songs, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 82. A pastoral, it depicts the Rococo muse Ulla Winblad, as the narrator offers a "little breakfast" of "red wine with burnet, and a newly-shot snipe" in the Stockholm countryside.
Så lunka vi så småningom is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's best-known and best-loved songs, from his 1791 collection, Fredman's Songs, where it is No. 21. The song portrays a pair of gravediggers discussing whether the grave is too deep, while taking swigs from a bottle of brandy.
Ack du min moder, originally written Ach! du min Moder, is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's best-known and best-loved songs, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 23. It begins as a lament, as Jean Fredman lies drunk in a Stockholm gutter outside the Crawl-in tavern, cursing his parents for conceiving him. Then he goes in, is revived by a stiff drink, and thanks his mother and father for his life.
Blåsen nu alla, "All blow now!", is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's best-known and best-loved songs, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 25. It is a pastorale, based on François Boucher's rococo 1740 painting Triumph of Venus.
Liksom en Herdinna, högtids klädd, is one of the Swedish poet and performer Carl Michael Bellman's best-known and best-loved songs, from his 1790 collection, Fredman's Epistles, where it is No. 80.