fangerne

Fangerne is the definite plural form of the Norwegian noun fange, meaning prisoners or captives. The term is used in Norwegian to refer to a group of detained individuals, whether they are criminals, detainees, or prisoners of war. In everyday and formal usage, fangerne can describe a general set of prisoners or function as a title or subject in texts and media.

Linguistic notes: The word fange derives from older North Germanic roots related to capturing or detaining, with fanger serving as the plural form and fangerne as the definite plural. The form is used in both Bokmål and Nynorsk and appears in a range of formal and informal contexts.

Cultural and historical usage: In journalism and historical writing, fangerne is employed to discuss groups of prisoners or detainees. In literature, film and theater, the term—often appearing as a title or central theme—frequently signals topics surrounding captivity, power, and resistance. Although there are works in Scandinavian languages that use a title like Fangerne, the exact references vary by country and period, and the phrase remains a common linguistic construction rather than a single canonical work.

See also: fange; prisoner; captivity; prisoner of war.