Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher who wrote, 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra'. Within this he explained that individuals should aim to be the 'Ubermensch' (Overman). Nietzsche wrote this book with the aim to teach humanity about the Overman and how this must be the meaning of the earth. The Overman is seen as someone who is free from all the prejudices and moralities of human society, and who creates his own values and purpose. Nietzsche suggests that values are what create human beings and that we are to blame for creating high values and consequently having to live up to them.
Nietzsche displays his thoughts and values through the character of Zarathustra. Zarathustra values struggle and hardship, as he believes sacrifice is essential in the journey towards the Overman.
Zarathustra is disappointed as he is unable to talk to all of the people in the marketplace, but then focuses on the people who do listen as he sees them as separating themselves from the 'herd'.
Religion is not considered positive in 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra'. Christianity is seen as a hatred of the body and of this earth. Believing in Christianity is like denying the body and earth by believing in the spirit and in an after life. Escaping is something Zarathustra thinks people do through Nationalism and mass politics if their bodies are weak or sick. He suggests that those who are strong enough struggle but those who are not strong enough give up and turn to religion or democracy in order to escape from themselves and their weaknesses.
"The old saint has not yet heard in his forest that God is dead."
"God is dead" is a well-known statement from this book, however the meaning of this is sometimes misunderstood. Neitzsche meant that the shared cultural belief in a God in Europe had died, as oppose to the literal death of God.
It is implied that being rich or poor is seen as too much of a burden to people and could be seen as another way of escape by hiding behind your financial status.
Zarathustra describes the three metamorphoses of the spirit:
Spirit ® Camel ® Lion ® Child
"The weight bearing spirit takes upon itself all thse heaviest things:
In the lonliest desert (once the Spirit is the Camel) the spirit then becomes a lion; it wants to capture freedom and be lord in its own desert. The lion is capable of creating new values, but to create itself freedom for new creation, that the might of the lion can do. The child is innocence and forgetfullness, a new beginning, a sport, a self-propelling wheel, a first motion, a sacred yes. The spirit now wills its own will."
Zarathustra emphasises the importance of sleep and states; "sleeping is no mean of art". It it enforced that you have to stay awake in order to sleep for the whole night. He also states that you have to overcome yourself ten times a day as this causes a fine weariness and is opium to the soul. As well as overcoming yourself you have to discover ten truths a day, otherwise you will seek truth in the night too.
Nietzsche's aim of this book, I believe, was to illustrate to people that they do not have to follow the crowd and that to try to be the Overman was a better way to live their lives because they would have a journey to overcome to reach that goal, instead of using religion and democracy to hide behind.
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