Michael Strunge
poet · writer
- June 19, 1958 · Hvidovre
- March 9, 1986
- 27 years
- fall
About Michael Strunge
Michael Strunge, 27, Danish poet, fall.
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Full Biography
|Michael Strunge Jensen (19 June 1958 – 9 March 1986) was a Danish poet. He is regarded as perhaps the most influential Danish postmodern poet, and his works are among the most studied poems in Denmark.[citation needed]
As a member of the original circle of 1980s poets in the group around Hvedekorn's editor Poul Borum, Michael Strunge, in cooperation with his colleague Jens Fink-Jensen, among others, arranged the generational manifestation “NÅ!!80” in Copenhagen in 1980.
He received the Otto Gelsted Prize in 1983.
With influences from both Romanticism, Symbolism and Modernism, Strunge's work is somewhat reminiscent of that of French poet Arthur Rimbaud. Strunge's poetry deals with such topics as sex, death, modernity and life in the city.
Originally inspired by the British punk wave of the late 1970s, many of Strunge's poems are full of references to the artists of his day, such as The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Cure, Joy Division, New Order, Brian Eno and David Bowie.
Strunge caused his own death on 9 March 1986, during a manic episode caused by bipolar disorder, by jumping from the 4th floor. His last words before jumping were "Now I can fly", indicating that he did not mean to kill himself. The quote is printed on a memorial plaque placed on the facade of the building he jumped from.[citation needed] He is buried at Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagen.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Strunge
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- October 27, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Michael Strunge's archived record and the sources above.
1.On what date was the Danish poet Michael Strunge born?
- A.19 June 1958correct
- B.12 May 1958
- C.9 March 1986
- D.19 June 1980
Michael Strunge Jensen was born on 19 June 1958.
Source: biographical introduction
2.What is the primary occupation associated with Michael Strunge?
- A.Poetcorrect
- B.Journalist
- C.Novelist
- D.Painter
Michael Strunge Jensen was a Danish poet.
Source: biographical introduction
3.Which literary group was Michael Strunge associated with in the 1980s?
- A.The Romantic Poetry Collective
- B.The Copenhagen Surrealists
- C.The Circle of Hvedekorn's editor Poul Borumcorrect
- D.The Rimbaud Modernists
Michael Strunge was a member of the original circle of 1980s poets in the group around Hvedekorn's editor Poul Borum.
Source: career beginnings
4.What was the name of the generational manifestation organized by Michael Strunge in 1980?
- A.NÅ!!80correct
- B.Modern Life
- C.The Punk Wave
- D.Copenhagen 80
Michael Strunge arranged the generational manifestation called NÅ!!80 in Copenhagen in 1980.
Source: career beginnings
5.Which prestigious award did Michael Strunge receive in 1983?
- A.The Rimbaud Prize
- B.The Otto Gelsted Prizecorrect
- C.The Danish Modernist Award
- D.The Copenhagen Poet Laureate
Michael Strunge received the Otto Gelsted Prize in 1983.
Source: awards section
6.Michael Strunge's poetic style was influenced by which literary movements?
- A.Baroque, Epicureanism and Futurism
- B.Realism, Dadaism and Minimalism
- C.Classicism, Expressionism and Naturalism
- D.Romanticism, Symbolism and Modernismcorrect
Strunge's work draws influences from Romanticism, Symbolism, and Modernism.
Source: literary influences
7.To which French poet is the work of Michael Strunge often compared?
- A.Stéphane Mallarmé
- B.Arthur Rimbaudcorrect
- C.Charles Baudelaire
- D.Paul Verlaine
Strunge's work is considered somewhat reminiscent of that of the French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
Source: literary influences
8.Which musical movement inspired the early poetry of Michael Strunge?
- A.British punk wavecorrect
- B.American jazz fusion
- C.Scandinavian folk music
- D.Classical opera
Michael Strunge was originally inspired by the British punk wave of the late 1970s.
Source: artistic inspirations
9.Which of these bands or artists is explicitly mentioned as an influence on Michael Strunge's poems?
- A.The Rolling Stones
- B.Pink Floyd
- C.The Beatles
- D.The Sex Pistolscorrect
Many of Strunge's poems contain references to artists such as The Sex Pistols.
Source: artistic inspirations
10.What common themes appear in the poetry of Michael Strunge?
- A.Politics, economy and agrarian life
- B.Sex, death, modernity and life in the citycorrect
- C.History, nature and religion
- D.Travel, folklore and architecture
Strunge's poetry deals with topics such as sex, death, modernity and life in the city.
Source: literary themes
11.On what date did Michael Strunge pass away?
- A.19 June 1980
- B.24 December 1985
- C.15 April 1986
- D.9 March 1986correct
Michael Strunge passed away on 9 March 1986.
Source: death and legacy
12.What were the last words spoken by Michael Strunge before his death?
- A.The end is here
- B.I am free
- C.Goodbye to the city
- D.Now I can flycorrect
Michael Strunge's final words before jumping were "Now I can fly".
Source: death and legacy
13.Michael Strunge's death occurred during a manic episode caused by which condition?
- A.Schizophrenia
- B.Bipolar disordercorrect
- C.Clinical depression
- D.Severe insomnia
Michael Strunge suffered a manic episode caused by bipolar disorder leading to his death.
Source: death and legacy
14.Where is Michael Strunge buried?
- A.Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagencorrect
- B.The National Memorial Garden
- C.A small plot in his hometown
- D.Roskilde Cathedral
Michael Strunge is buried at Assistens Cemetery in Copenhagen.
Source: death and legacy
15.How is the legacy of Michael Strunge described in terms of his influence in Denmark?
- A.An overlooked figure of the 80s
- B.The last traditional poet of the era
- C.The most studied poet in Europe
- D.Perhaps the most influential Danish postmodern poetcorrect
Michael Strunge is regarded as perhaps the most influential Danish postmodern poet.
Source: biographical introduction
16.Where can the final quote of Michael Strunge be found today?
- A.In the preface of his collected works
- B.On the cover of the NÅ!!80 manifesto
- C.On a memorial plaque on the building facadecorrect
- D.On his headstone
The quote is printed on a memorial plaque placed on the facade of the building from which he jumped.
Source: death and legacy
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