Rikard Schönström

Affiliation: Lund University 

Abstract:

“Frithiof’s saga – A Swedish Contribution to World Literature?”

Esaias Tegnér’s epic poem Frithiof’s saga (1825) is said to be one of the most important Swedish contributions to World literature during the 19th century. It was translated into several languages, including German, English and French, and paved the way for a widespread romantic view of the Scandinavian Vikings. The question is, however, to what extent Frithiof’s saga can be seen as a Swedish literary work. In my paper I will draw attention to the many foreign influences on Tegnér’s poem and discuss whether there is such a thing as a “national” literature, clearly separated from the literary traditions of other countries.