How did Ludvig Holberg help establish Danish-language theatre in Copenhagen?

Ludvig Holberg was instrumental in establishing Danish-language theatre in Copenhagen following the opening of the city's first such venue in 1722. He served as the primary dramatist for the theatre, producing a steady flow of 32 comedies of character and manners with remarkable speed.12

By creating these works, Holberg aimed to develop a modern Danish literature modeled on European standards and to promote reason by satirizing human follies. His plays, which earned him the title "Molière of the North," utilized stock character types—often influenced by Plautus and Molière—to provide social commentary on contemporary and universal issues. Through his writing, Holberg added significant flexibility and expressiveness to the Danish language, effectively elevating it to a cosmopolitan level. His contributions were so foundational that many of his comedies remain staples of the Danish and Norwegian stages today.21