Artistry and Genealogy: The Literary Structure of On the Genealogy of Morality’s First Treatise

Abstract

Abstract Despite the attention paid to the artistic and literary dimensions of Nietzsche’s writings, the literary structure of On the Genealogy of Morality (GM) has received little attention. In this article I examine the literary structure of GM’s first treatise. This study shows that Nietzsche structured the treatise simultaneously as a descent to the depths of ressentiment-fueled hatred, and as an ascent bringing its readers from self-ignorance to the beginnings of self-knowledge. The treatise’s structure responds to the preface’s twofold genealogical question on the historical origins of modern moral values, and on their real worth. In GM I:1–8 Nietzsche addresses the first part of the question, while in GM I:10–17 he addresses its second part. The free spirit’s objection in GM I:9, I argue, is the hinge upon which GM I turns, and which brings the treatise to the question of the real worth of moral values.