“Gunnarshólmi”, a patriotic and historical poem of Jónas Hallgrímsson (1807-1845), has long held a central position in the history of Icelandic literature. On one hand, it has been considered one of the standard bearers of the extensive and enduring branch of the romanticism which got its start with the poems of Bjarni Thorarensen (1786-1841) during the second and third decade of the century and has been classified as national romanticism. Poets sought to elevate Icelandic landscapes, history, and culture in their effort to strengthen the national spirit (Germ.
Volksgeist) of the Icelandic people and raise their morale. On the other hand, many have focused on the new-fashioned character of “Gunnarshólmi”, where traditional Icelandic subject matter is woven into classic…
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Citation: Óskarsson, Þórir. "Gunnarshólmi". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 April 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=41234, accessed 21 November 2024.]
