Exploring the Themes and Motifs of Thus Spake Zarathustra (Dover Thrift Editions) by Friedrich Nietzsche
Introduction
Thus Spake Zarathustra (Dover Thrift Editions) is a philosophical novel by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, published between 1883 and 1885. It is considered one of Nietzsche's most influential and controversial works, as well as one of his most poetic and literary ones. The book consists of four parts, each containing a series of speeches or discourses delivered by a fictional character named Zarathustra, who is loosely based on an ancient Persian prophet and religious reformer.
Thus Spake Zarathustra (Dover Thrift Editions)
The main theme of the book is Nietzsche's concept of the overman (or superman), which he defines as a higher type of human being who transcends the conventional morality and values of society and creates his own meaning and purpose in life. The overman is also able to affirm and embrace the eternal recurrence, which is Nietzsche's idea that all events in history will repeat themselves infinitely in exactly the same way. The overman is contrasted with the last man, who is a degenerate type of human being who lives in comfort and mediocrity, without any ambition or creativity.
In this article, we will provide a background on Nietzsche and his philosophy, a summary of each part of the book, an analysis of its style, structure, themes, and motifs, and a discussion of its criticism and reception over time. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the book.
Background
Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche was born in 1844 in Röcken, Germany. He was a precocious child who showed an early interest in classical languages and literature. He studied philology at the University of Bonn and later at Leipzig, where he became acquainted with Arthur Schopenhauer's philosophy and Richard Wagner's music. He became a professor of classical philology at the University of Basel in 1869, but resigned in 1879 due to health problems. He then devoted himself to writing and traveling, producing some of his most famous works, such as The Birth of Tragedy, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil, and On the Genealogy of Morals.
Nietzsche's philosophy is characterized by a radical critique of Western culture and morality, especially Christianity, which he regarded as a slave morality that repressed the natural instincts and creativity of human beings. He also criticized the modern trends of democracy, nationalism, socialism, and scientism, which he saw as manifestations of nihilism, or the loss of meaning and value in life. He proposed a new way of thinking and living that would overcome nihilism and affirm life in all its complexity and diversity. He called this way the philosophy of the future, or the philosophy of the overman.
Zarathustra
Zarathustra is the name of an ancient Persian prophet and religious reformer who lived sometime between the 10th and 6th centuries BCE. He is the founder of Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. He taught that there is one supreme god, Ahura Mazda, who is the source of all good and truth, and that there is an ongoing cosmic struggle between good and evil forces. He also taught that human beings have free will and moral responsibility, and that they will face a final judgment after death.
Nietzsche chose Zarathustra as his protagonist for several reasons. First, he admired Zarathustra as a historical figure who challenged the established religion and morality of his time and introduced a new way of thinking. Second, he saw Zarathustra as a symbol of the ancient wisdom and nobility of the East, which he contrasted with the decadence and weakness of the West. Third, he used Zarathustra as a literary device to express his own views in a more poetic and dramatic way.
The Overman
The overman (or superman) is Nietzsche's concept of a higher type of human being who transcends the conventional morality and values of society and creates his own meaning and purpose in life. The overman is not a fixed or static ideal, but rather a dynamic and evolving process that requires constant self-overcoming and experimentation. The overman is also not a collective or universal goal, but rather an individual and unique one that depends on each person's talents and preferences.
The overman is motivated by the will to power, which is Nietzsche's term for the fundamental drive or force that animates all living things. The will to power is not merely a desire for domination or control, but rather a creative and expressive force that seeks to expand one's potentialities and possibilities. The overman uses his will to power to shape himself and his world according to his own vision and values.
The overman is also able to affirm and embrace the eternal recurrence, which is Nietzsche's idea that all events in history will repeat themselves infinitely in exactly the same way. The eternal recurrence is not a metaphysical or scientific doctrine, but rather a psychological test or challenge that measures one's attitude toward life. The overman is someone who can say yes to every moment of his life, even the most painful or trivial ones, and wish nothing more than for them to be repeated. The overman is someone who loves life so much that he wants it to be eternal.
Summary
Part One
Part One of Thus Spoke Zarathustra consists of 22 chapters. It begins with Zarathustra descending from his mountain cave after ten years of solitude. He has attained a great wisdom and love for humanity, and wants to share it with others. He arrives in the town of the Motley Cow, where he announces his message: God is dead, and mankind must overcome itself by becoming the overman.
The people in the town do not understand him or take him seriously. They mock him as a madman or a circus performer. The only exception is a tightrope walker who falls from his rope and dies shortly after. Zarathustra takes pity on him and buries him outside the town.
Part Two
Part Two of Thus Spoke Zarathustra consists of 22 chapters. It begins with Zarathustra returning to his cave, where he is greeted by his animal companions: an eagle and a snake. He decides to stay there for a while and teach his disciples, who have followed him from various places.
Zarathustra teaches his disciples about various aspects of his philosophy, such as the three metamorphoses of the spirit (the camel, the lion, and the child); the three virtues (the gift-giving virtue, the friend-making virtue, and the solitude-seeking virtue); the three dangers (the good and just, the scholars, and the poets); the three evil things (the spirit of gravity, pity, and the tarantulas); and the three tables of values (the old table, the new table, and the higher table).
Zarathustra also tells his disciples some stories and parables to illustrate his points, such as the story of how he met a dwarf who showed him a gateway to eternity; the parable of how he saw a vision of a shepherd who choked on a snake; the story of how he encountered a fire-dog who wanted to learn about hell; the parable of how he witnessed a dance of seven seals who represented his wisdom; and the story of how he met a higher man who was a murderer.
Zarathustra also warns his disciples not to mistake him for their leader or their goal. He tells them that they must follow their own way and become their own overmen. He also tells them that they must be ready for the coming of the last man, who is the opposite of the overman: a weak, cowardly, and conformist creature who lives in comfort and mediocrity.
Part Three
Part Three of Thus Spoke Zarathustra consists of 15 chapters. It begins with Zarathustra leaving his cave again and wandering around different places. He faces various challenges and temptations that test his resolve and his faith in his philosophy.
Zarathustra meets a wanderer who tells him that mankind is divided into two races: those who are bound by chains and those who are free from them. Zarathustra agrees that he belongs to the latter group, but he also says that he is not yet free from himself.
Zarathustra then encounters a shadow that follows him everywhere. The shadow represents his doubt and his loneliness. Zarathustra tries to get rid of it by giving it some of his wisdom, but it only makes it grow bigger and darker.
Zarathustra then meets a saintly woman who offers him her love and her bed. Zarathustra rejects her offer, saying that he loves only his children, meaning his future disciples. He also says that he does not need a woman to be happy.
Zarathustra then comes across a group of higher men who are gathered in a cave to celebrate a festival. They include a famous general, a renowned statesman, a celebrated poet, a famous scholar, and a notorious criminal. They all recognize Zarathustra as their leader and their savior. Zarathustra is disgusted by their flattery and their mediocrity. He tells them that they are not higher men, but rather incomplete men who have not overcome themselves. He also tells them that they are not worthy of his company or his teaching.
Zarathustra then hears a cry of distress from outside the cave. He rushes out to see what is happening. He finds out that a young man has killed himself because he was disappointed by life and by Zarathustra's philosophy. Zarathustra is deeply saddened by this tragedy. He blames himself for being too harsh and too distant from his followers. He also blames himself for being too proud and too confident in his own wisdom.
Part Four
Part Four of Thus Spoke Zarathustra consists of 20 chapters. It begins with Zarathustra having a dream in which he sees himself as an old man who is dying on his bed. He is surrounded by his disciples, who are weeping for him. He tells them not to mourn for him, but to rejoice for his coming resurrection as the overman.
Zarathustra then wakes up from his dream and realizes that it was a sign from his destiny. He decides to gather his followers and prepare them for the coming of the overman. He sends out his eagle and his snake to invite all the higher men who are willing to join him in his cave.
Zarathustra then welcomes the higher men who arrive at his cave. They include some of the ones he met before, such as the general, the statesman, the poet, the scholar, and the criminal, as well as some new ones, such as a conscientious man of spirit, a magician, an old pope, a voluntary beggar, a shadow, a spiritually conscientious one, a ugliest man, a wanderer and shadow, an old soothsayer, a disciple, a child, and an ass. Zarathustra greets them all with kindness and respect, but he also challenges them to overcome their weaknesses and their prejudices.
Zarathustra then leads the higher men to a feast where they eat and drink and celebrate. He also entertains them with some songs and dances. He tells them that they are his guests and his friends, but he also tells them that they are his enemies and his rivals. He tells them that they must compete with each other and with him for the honor of becoming the overman.
Zarathustra then reveals to the higher men his greatest secret: the doctrine of the eternal recurrence. He tells them that all events in history will repeat themselves infinitely in exactly the same way. He asks them how they would react to this news: would they curse it or bless it? Would they despair or rejoice? He tells them that only the overman can accept and affirm the eternal recurrence, and that only the overman can be his true companion.
The book ends with Zarathustra waiting for the dawn of a new day, when he hopes to see the first signs of the overman. He is confident that his work is not in vain, and that his message will reach those who are ready to hear it. He is also aware that he still has much to learn and to overcome himself. He is not yet the overman himself, but he is on his way.
Analysis
Style and Structure
Thus Spoke Zarathustra is a unique work of literature that combines philosophy, poetry, and drama. It is written in a lyrical and aphoristic style that resembles the ancient scriptures and oracles. It is also structured as a series of speeches or discourses delivered by Zarathustra to various audiences or interlocutors. The speeches are often interrupted by dialogues, stories, parables, songs, dances, or silences.
Nietzsche uses various literary devices to convey his ideas in a more vivid and effective way. Some of these devices are:
Allegory: Nietzsche uses allegory to represent abstract concepts or principles through concrete characters or events. For example, Zarathustra himself is an allegory of Nietzsche's philosophy; the tightrope walker is an allegory of the human condition; the eagle and the snake are allegories of Zarathustra's qualities; and the last man is an allegory of modern society.
Symbolism: Nietzsche uses symbolism to suggest deeper meanings or associations through images or objects. For example, the sun is a symbol of Zarathustra's wisdom and love; the mountain is a symbol of Zarathustra's solitude and elevation; the cave is a symbol of Zarathustra's retreat and reflection; and the gateway to eternity is a symbol of Zarathustra's vision of the eternal recurrence.
Aphorism: Nietzsche uses aphorism to express his thoughts in a concise and memorable way. For example, "God is dead"; "Man is something that must be overcome"; "One must still have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star"; "What does not kill me makes me stronger"; and "Become who you are".
Dialogue: Nietzsche uses dialogue to create contrast or conflict between different perspectives or personalities. For example, Zarathustra often engages in dialogue with his animal companions, his disciples, his enemies, or himself. The dialogue serves to reveal Zarathustra's character, challenge his views, or clarify his arguments.
Themes and Motifs
Thus Spoke Zarathustra explores many themes and motifs that recur throughout Nietzsche's philosophy. Some of these themes and motifs are:
God's death: Nietzsche declares that God is dead, meaning that the traditional belief in a transcendent creator and judge of the world has become obsolete and irrelevant in modern times. He also claims that God's death has left a void in human culture and morality, leading to nihilism or the loss of meaning and value in life.
Eternal recurrence: Nietzsche proposes that all events in history will repeat themselves infinitely in exactly the same way. He also suggests that this idea is a psychological test or challenge that measures one's attitude toward life. He argues that only the overman can accept and affirm the eternal recurrence, and that only the overman can love life so much that he wants it to be eternal.
Will to power: Nietzsche defines the will to power as the fundamental drive or force that animates all living things. He also asserts that the will to power is not merely a desire for domination or control, but rather a creative and expressive force that seeks to expand one's potentialities and possibilities. He contends that the overman uses his will to power to shape himself and his world according to his own vision and values.
Nihilism: Nietzsche diagnoses nihilism as the condition of modern society, which has lost its faith in God, its trust in reason, its respect for tradition, and its hope for progress. He also identifies nihilism as the enemy of his philosophy, which aims to overcome nihilism and affirm life in all its complexity and diversity. He distinguishes between two types of nihilism: passive nihilism, which is a resignation and a denial of life; and active nihilism, which is a destruction and a transformation of life.
The overman: Nietzsche introduces the overman as his ideal of a higher type of human being who transcends the conventional morality and values of society and creates his own meaning and purpose in life. He also describes the overman as a dynamic and evolving process that requires constant self-overcoming and experimentation. He asserts that the overman is not a collective or universal goal, but rather an individual and unique one that depends on each person's talents and preferences.
The last man: Nietzsche contrasts the overman with the last man, who is his image of a degenerate type of human being who lives in comfort and mediocrity, without any ambition or creativity. He also depicts the last man as a product of modern society, which promotes democracy, nationalism, socialism, and scientism as means of escape from oneself. He warns that the last man is the greatest danger for humanity, as he represents the end of human evolution and the death of human spirit.
Criticism and Reception
Thus Spoke Zarathustra has been received and criticized by different audiences and perspectives over time. Some of these are:
Literary critics: Literary critics have praised or criticized Nietzsche's style, structure, language, imagery, symbolism, allegory, dialogue, and other literary elements. Some have admired his poetic and dramatic expression, while others have found it obscure and pretentious. Some have appreciated his use of humor and irony, while others have missed it or misunderstood it.
Philosophical critics: Philosophical critics have evaluated or challenged Nietzsche's arguments, concepts, principles, assumptions, implications, and conclusions. Some have agreed with his critique of Western culture and morality, while others have disagreed or objected. Some have followed his philosophy of the overman, while others have rejected or modified it.
Religious critics: Religious critics have responded or reacted to Nietzsche's proclamation of God's death and his attack on Christianity. Some have condemned him as a blasphemer or an atheist, while others have defended him as a prophet or a mystic. Some have ignored or dismissed him as irrelevant or outdated, while others have engaged or dialogued with him as relevant or challenging.
Political critics: Political critics have interpreted or applied Nietzsche's philosophy to various political issues or movements. Some have associated him with fascism or nazism, while others have dissociated him from them. Some have used him to support anarchism or libertarianism, while others have used him to oppose them. Some have seen him as a critic or an enemy of democracy, while others have seen him as a supporter or a friend of democracy.
Cultural critics: Cultural critics have explored or related Nietzsche's philosophy to various cultural phenomena or trends. Some have linked him with existentialism or postmodernism, while others have linked him with romanticism or modernism. Some have connected him with art or literature, while others have connected him with music or film. Some have influenced him by psychology or sociology, while others have influenced him by science or technology.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Thus Spoke Zarathustra is a philosophical novel by Friedrich Nietzsche that presents his concept of the overman as a higher type of human being who transcends the conventional morality and values of society and creates his own meaning and purpose in life. The book consists of four parts, each containing a series of speeches or discourses delivered by a fictional character named Zarathustra, who is loosely based on an ancient Persian prophet and religious reformer. The book explores many themes and motifs that recur throughout Nietzsche's philosophy, such as God's death, eternal recurrence, will to power, nihilism, and the last man. The book also uses various literary devices to convey its ideas in a more viv
