How to Research Danish Folklore

When you think of Danish folklore, The Ugly Duckling, the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale that teaches tolerance and self esteem, probably comes to mind. Or perhaps your first thoughts are of Hamlet, the legend of the Danish king told by William Shakespeare. While these are both good examples of Danish folklore, there is so much more to learn about the stories and legends that define this Scandinavian country.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Read books on the topic. While Hans Christian Anderson is most famous for stories like the Ugly Duckling, the Little Mermaid, the Princess and the Pea and Thumbelisa, the collection listed in resources of 22 of his fables includes some that you might not have heard. There are books on Danish folktales by other authors as well.
2. Ask a person from Denmark about their favorite stories. What stories did they hear as a child? Some of the folktales that define a group of people are those that are passed down orally from generation to generation. See what you can find.
3. Rent a movie or see a play. Hans Christian Anderson's fables have been made into movies, as has Shakespeare's Hamlet. Or look for a stage version of Hamlet.
4. Do some research. If you're feeling ambitious, you might want to check out a project that was completed by students at UCLA. They used digital technology to assemble the folklore collection of Evald Tang Kristensen (1843-1929), the single most prolific folklore collector in the world. Much of the work is in Danish, but just visiting the website will provide you with a wealth of information.

Tips & Warnings

• If you hear any new tales, consider writing them down. Ask people with friends or family from Denmark if they have heard the stories.
• Remember to sleep and eat. Denmark is an old country, and its folklore is rich and fascinating. Once you get started studying it, it's hard to think of anything else.