Friedrich Nietzsche and Weimar Classicism

Abstract

This book argues that Nietzsche's polemics against 19th-century reception of Goethe and Schiller should not obscure his own more positive evaluation of Weimar classicism, as has generally been case. The authors uncover continuing influence of Weimar classicism at very heart of Nietzsche's theory, which in turn became cornerstone of his epistemological and moral concerns. The book takes as its starting point view that Thus Spoke Zarathustra has a single, coherent message that it identifies with what Goethe called the gospel of beauty. A hitherto unappreciated unity of plot, style, and argument is thus revealed in both Zarathustra and Nietzsche's philosophical oeuvre as a whole, showing how he participates in a perennial aesthetic. In this connection Nietzsche's statement in The Gay Science is revealing: want to learn more and more to see what is necessary in things as what is beautiful ? then I shall be one of those who make things beautiful. The book provides an overview of related scholarly literature; discusses Nietzsche's theory in The Birth of Tragedy; recounts composition of Thus Spoke Zarathustra and offers an interpretation of its aesthetic gospel; a concluding chapter explores historical continuities in theory. By demonstrating constitutive function of aesthetics of Weimar classicism in his philosophy, this book opens up a fresh and original perspective on Nietzsche. Reviews [The authors] make a convincing case that both vocabulary and imagery of Weimar aesthetics, represented principally in writings of Goethe and Schiller, are central to Nietzsche's project.... NEW NIETZSCHE STUDIES Students of Nietzsche ... will welcome this instructive and finely wrought study, which maps influence of Schiller and Goethe on Nietzsche's thought. CHOICE Drawing knowledgeably on works of Goethe and Schiller and on a wide range of sources from Nietzsche's oeuvre ... this assiduously researched study gives a new resonance to numerous passages and to key terms in Nietzsche's writings.... A welcome addition to scholarly literature on Nietzsche. GERMAN QUARTERLY The great strength of this study lies in its erudite and lucid discussions of Die Geburt der Tragodie and Also sprach Zarathustra in first three chapters. MODERN LANGUAGE REVIEW