Contemporary Responses to Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling (1843)

Initial Publication Context

“Fear and Trembling,” originally published in Copenhagen in October 1843, appeared under the pseudonym Johannes de Silentio. The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard was active within a literary, theological, and philosophical milieu defined by vigorous religious debates and the emergence of new philosophical currents in Europe. At the time of the book’s publication, Danish society maintained a vibrant yet relatively small intellectual community, and print media was developing but still limited in scope. Religious matters—especially those relating to Lutheran orthodoxy and pietism—were central topics of public discussion.

Kierkegaard’s decision to publish under a pseudonym reflected a broader nineteenth-century European pattern, where pseudonymous authorship could be used to spark curiosity or to detach works from established reputations. The book was published by C.A. Reitzel, a noted Copenhagen publisher. As with many of Kierkegaard’s works, the first print run was modest, aimed at a select audience of Danish intellectuals, clergy, and university-educated readers rather than a mass market.

Critical Reception

The initial critical response to “Fear and Trembling” was sparse. While the Danish literary press occasionally noted new philosophical publications, limited reviews of Kierkegaard’s book appeared in mainstream Danish periodicals during its first months on the market. Existing critical attention was largely confined to outlets focusing specifically on theological or philosophical works.

Within academic and ecclesiastical circles, some reviewers mentioned the work in the context of broader discussions regarding faith and Lutheran doctrine. However, institutional theologians and church authorities in Denmark did not offer systematic or detailed analysis in public forums during the book’s immediate release period. Where mentioned, the book’s unusual structure and the adoption of a pseudonym attracted curiosity, though also skepticism, particularly among traditionalist critics who questioned the value and purpose of pseudonymous philosophical writing.

The book appeared in a literary environment where contemporaries such as Hans Lassen Martensen, a prominent theologian and university figure, and other Hegelian thinkers were active in shaping Danish theological debate. Some indirect references to Kierkegaard’s polemical style occurred in theological journals, but these rarely named “Fear and Trembling” outright. When referenced, attention was paid to the stylistic and formal choices rather than the underlying arguments, as was typical for new, unconventional philosophical works of the period.

Overall, surviving records indicate that the contemporary critical community in Denmark, while aware of the book’s existence, offered minimal immediate written analysis. No major controversies, public denunciations, or widespread endorsements by institutional bodies are recorded in available Danish press archives from 1843 and shortly thereafter.

Public and Cultural Response

Among the general public, the first months following the publication of “Fear and Trembling” saw little documented reaction. Due to the limited initial print run and the book’s philosophical nature, it circulated primarily among intellectuals, clergy, and educated urban readers.

In 1843, Denmark’s reading public was still developing in terms of size and access. Works of dense philosophical inquiry did not typically reach general audiences beyond academic or clerical circles. Bookshops and lending libraries that carried new works from Reitzel and other publishers catered to educated clientele in Copenhagen and other principal cities.

Contemporary accounts, including letters, diaries, and memoirs of Kierkegaard’s peers, indicate that knowledge of “Fear and Trembling” remained limited to a relatively small set of readers during its initial release. The book did not prompt public debates or widespread social discourse in newspapers, pamphlets, or popular gatherings in 1843. No documented public readings, lectures, or debates concerning the book are noted for the period immediately after its publication.

Among clergy, some personal correspondence and private reflections acknowledged receipt of the book or referenced its presence in theological discussions. However, reactions in these sources were reserved or exploratory, mirroring the ambiguity created by its pseudonymous author and experimental approach. No public institutional proclamations or condemnations of the work were issued by Danish church authorities during this initial period.

Early Impact

In its earliest phase, the impact of “Fear and Trembling” was moderate and gradual. The book sold in relatively small numbers, consistent with the expectations for philosophical literature in 1840s Denmark. Publisher records from Reitzel reflect modest sales, with copies reaching select universities, private libraries, and a handful of theological seminaries.

The primary site of initial influence appears to have been among small intellectual, academic, and clerical groups rather than through mass readership or press attention. Within these circles, the book was read and discussed alongside other contemporary philosophical and theological tracts. No formal adoption of the work into educational curricula, public lectures, or official church statements is recorded for the first months or even years after publication.

There is evidence that some academic and clergy members discussed the book in letters and private meetings, focusing on its literary style and relation to questions of faith. Nonetheless, such references were often brief and indirect. Collections of correspondence from the 1840s among Copenhagen-based intellectuals mention the book, but more frequently in the context of its author’s growing bibliography rather than as a singular, catalytic event.

In sum, the early impact of “Fear and Trembling” in 1843 was characterized by modest attention from critics, limited but considered engagement among a small circle of readers, and an absence of high-profile public or institutional reaction. Most contemporary documentation suggests that awareness and consideration of the work grew slowly through private discussion and academic interest rather than immediate, large-scale response.

Related Sections

• Context of 19th-Century Danish Philosophy
• Kierkegaard: Publication History
• Religion in 19th-Century Denmark