In Ludvig Holberg: A European Writer, Sven Hakon Rossel reveals that Holberg’s historical and moral works were so widespread in Norway that they were also read by the common literate populace, with his work Dannemark og Norges Beskrivelse being the “most popular book in eighteenth-century Norway next to the bible” (Rossel 199). In fact, due to his interest in Germanic and western European ideologies and literacy and his relationship with traveling German troupes, Holberg achieved international fame. With this fame, Holberg aimed to raise ethical and moral consciences of his audience and to teach his readers to critically think about topics such as gender equality. In Zille Hans-daughter’s Gynaicologia or Defense of Womankind, Holberg writes
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However, writers who also defined the era and have been more prominent than Holberg such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote strongly against gender equality. In fact, it is commonly assumed that his writings served to backtrack any form of progressive ideas forming around the different intellectual circles in Europe. In Feminist interpretations of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Lynda Lange argues against Rousseau’s misogynist writings, which belittle women to the point where they explicitly stated that theaters should not be built as morally weak women would go there and tempt the men in the proper “public life” (Lange 32). Rousseau fervently wished to confine women to the home as “rest and recreation” (Lange 33) for the men, disregarding the possibility of roles in proper society. Rousseau’s idea that a woman who seeks professional equality with a man would be hampered by her “feminine wiles” and “want for children” (Lange 38) conflicts with Holberg’s ideas-the women portrayed in Niels Klim are not just liberated, but hold great powers such as that of the highest ranking judge in a
However, writers who also defined the era and have been more prominent than Holberg such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote strongly against gender equality. In fact, it is commonly assumed that his writings served to backtrack any form of progressive ideas forming around the different intellectual circles in Europe. In Feminist interpretations of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Lynda Lange argues against Rousseau’s misogynist writings, which belittle women to the point where they explicitly stated that theaters should not be built as morally weak women would go there and tempt the men in the proper “public life” (Lange 32). Rousseau fervently wished to confine women to the home as “rest and recreation” (Lange 33) for the men, disregarding the possibility of roles in proper society. Rousseau’s idea that a woman who seeks professional equality with a man would be hampered by her “feminine wiles” and “want for children” (Lange 38) conflicts with Holberg’s ideas-the women portrayed in Niels Klim are not just liberated, but hold great powers such as that of the highest ranking judge in a