Icelandic Baroque: Poetic Art and Erudition in the Works of Hallgrímur Pétursson (Islandica, 56)

Translated by Andrew Wawn. "Icelandic Baroque" seeks to approach the writings of Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614–1674), Iceland's leading devotional poet, from a new direction. Hallgrímur is best known for his "Passíusálmar", fifty hymns that contemplate the crucifixion and death of Christ, using a variety of meters and melodies; they have been sung in Iceland over Lent for many generations. This book offers a new evaluation of his poetry. First, seventeenth-century Icelandic literature in general, and Hallgrímur's works in particular, are set in the wider context of contemporary European literature, particularly from Scandinavia and Germany. Second, the influence of the poet's social milieu, both domestic and overseas, is explored. Third, the author, Margrét Eggertsdóttir, explores whether and, if so, how aesthetic and literary theories of the baroque can enrich our understanding of seventeenth-century Icelandic literature. Her principal aim is to contribute to a reevaluation of Icelandic seventeenth-century literary history by applying new interpretative perspectives to works by leading poets of the period, most notably the iconic figure of Hallgrímur Pétursson. Icelandic Baroque seeks to approach the writings of Hallgrmur Ptursson (1614 1674), Iceland's leading devotional poet, from a new direction. Hallgrmur is best known for his Passiusalmar , fifty hymns that contemplate the crucifixion and death of Christ, using a variety of meters and melodies; they have been sung in Iceland over Lent for many generations. This book offers a new evaluation of his poetry. First, seventeenth-century Icelandic literature in general, and Hallgrmur's works in particular, are set in the wider context of contemporary European literature, particularly from Scandinavia and Germany. Second, the influence of the poet's social milieu, both domestic and overseas, is explored. Third, Eggertsdttir explores whether and, if so, how aesthetic and literary theories of the baroque can enrich our understanding of seventeenth-century Icelandic literature. Her principal aim is to contribute to a reevaluation of Icelandic seventeenth-century literary history by applying new interpretative perspectives to works by leading poets of the period, most notably the iconic figure of Hallgrmur Ptursson. List of Illustrations vii Preface xi Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Baroque Literature 12 Chapter 3: The Baroque Text 45 Chapter 4: A Remote Island within a Danish Kingdom 57 Chapter 5: Verbal Arts in the Age of Learning 77 Chapter 6: A Renaissance Figure: Magnús Ólafsson of Laufás 121 Chapter 7: Stefán Ólafsson of Vallanes: a Baroque Poet 151 Chapter 8: Poet and Society 189 Chapter 9: The Works of Hallgrímur Pétursson 221 Chapter 10: Evanescence and Apocalypse 241 Chapter 11: Satirical Writings 269 Chapter 12: Occasional Poems 291 Chapter 13: Hymns and Religious Verse 329 Chapter 14: Poems of Repentance and Consolation 373 Chapter 15: The Passion Hymns 387 Chapter 16: Meditative Works 447 Chapter 17: Árni Oddsson: a Memorial Address 475 Chapter 18: Poems in Praise of Hallgrímur Pétursson 485 Chapter 19: Conclusions 509 Bibliography: Primary Sources (Printed) 519 Secondary Sources 525 Index to Manuscript References 543 Index of Names 547