Jens Zetlitz

Jens Zetlitz (born January 26, 1761 in Stavanger , Rogaland , † January 14, 1821 in Kviteseid , Telemark ) was a Norwegian pastor, poet and a representative of the Enlightenment.

family

His parents were the regimental surgeon Sigismundus Zetlitz (1725-1762) and his wife Mette Christine Magnus (1735 to 1772). His first marriage was on September 10, 1791 in Lye Maren Elisabeth ("Elisa") Bull (September 11, 1761 - January 20, 1801), daughter of the provost Jens Bull (1718–1804) and his wife Axeliane Christine Smith (1737 -1762). In his second marriage he married on March 31, 1802 in Vikedal Christiane Sophie Fasting von Krogh (February 9, 1780–11 February 1867), daughter of the colonel and later Major General Søren de Fine von Krogh (1724–1795) and his wife Catharina Nicolava Frørup (1741-1803).

Life

Jens Zetlitz grew up in Stavanger until he went to the cathedral school in Bergen. When both his father and then his stepfather died, the pastor and later Bishop Johan Nordahl Brun took care of him, who provided him with a place to eat for poor students. This made a great impression on Zetlitz, who wrote the first biography of the bishop in 1805. In 1780 he passed the exam artium at the University of Copenhagen. Then he started studying theology. At the same time he was very interested in literature and was a frequent guest in "Det norske Selskab" in Copenhagen. There he was welcome as a song singer. His drinking songs were very popular among the students. His poems could also be critical to the point of opposition. But despite his pronounced patriotism, he never joined an oppositional, anti-royal or separatist current. He also wrote serious poetry, such as En norsk Vinter or Til Vaaren (to spring). However, shortage of money soon forced him to return home. There he became tutor in various places. In 1786 he went to Stavanger and became engaged to Elisa Bull. His future brother-in-law Gabriel Kielland helped him with money, and so he was able to continue his studies in Copenhagen from 1788. He came back to "Det norske Selskab" and was nicknamed "Glædens muntre Sanger" (The joy of lively singers). In 1789 he passed his state examination and published his first volume of poetry, Poesier . The volume of poetry shows a wide range of his poetic abilities. He became the vicar's personal chaplain in Lye in 1790 and married Elisa Bull. She became a source of inspiration. Through her he was now related by marriage to the Kielland family, who were powerful in Stavanger and the surrounding area. From 1800 Zetlitz was pastor in Vikedal in Ryfylke and from 1811 until his death in Kviteseid in Telemark. When Elisa died in 1801, his poetic élan dried up.

He is buried in the “Kviteseid gamle kyrkje” cemetery.

Literary work

His best texts belong to this period from 1790 to 1801. His Sange for den norske Bondestand (song for the Norwegian peasant class) from 1795 became very popular. In it he praised the Norwegian Odals farmers with warm patriotism. But this Odalsbauer was the king's loyal follower. He was at the beginning of the romanticism that "Det norske Selskab" was soon to dominate. The bond with the Danish king was not questioned with him. He was conservative and revolutionary ideas were alien to him. The poet Henrik Arnold Wergeland referred to him when he claimed the Norwegian share of Danish-language poetry. In the same year he wrote hymns. The collection of his hymns was divided into three articles of faith: “God as Father, Creator and Sustainer” contains most of the songs. This creation theological theme was an important theme in Enlightenment theology. Four of his songs were included in the Evangelical Christian hymn book of 1798.

It was characteristic of the clergy of his time, who were part of the Enlightenment tradition, that they also wanted to bring social benefits. They wanted to be educators and teachers of the people. In this spirit, Zetlitz wrote Læse-Bog for Fremdvoxende Bønder-Børn (reading book for growing peasant children).

Selected works

• Poet . Første Samling, Copenhagen 1789
• Egenæs . Et Digt med Anmærkninger.
• Psalms . Copenhagen 1795
• Sange for the norske bond stand
• En norsk Høst . Et Digt, Copenhagen 1800
• Prædikener og Leilighedstaler (sermons and occasional speeches ). [ posthumously ] 1822
• Jens Zetlitz's first session . 1825
• Reyse from Stavanger to Wigedahl i Aaret 1800 . Stavanger 1968

literature

The article is essentially based on Norsk biografisk Leksikon . Further information is specifically shown.

• Hallgeir Elstad: Jens Zetlitz . In: Norsk biografisk leksikon ; Retrieved August 28, 2009.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} D. Thrap: Zetlitz, Jens . In: Carl Frederik Bricka (Ed.): Dansk biografisk Lexikon. Tillige omfattende Norge for Tidsrummet 1537-1814. 1st edition. tape 19 : Vind – Oetken . Gyldendalske Boghandels Forlag, Copenhagen 1905, p. 291-293 (Danish, runeberg.org ).
2. ↑ This is the entrance exam for the university, corresponding to today's Abitur.