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'Yes, what is Dionysian? - This book provides an answer - "a man who knows" speaks in it, the initiate and disciple of his god.' The Birth of Tragedy (1872) is a book about the origins of Greek tragedy and its relevance to the German culture of its time. For Nietzsche, Greek tragedy is the expression of a culture which has achieved a delicate but powerful balance between Dionysian insight into the chaos and suffering which underlies all existence and the discipline and clarity of rational Apollonian form. In order to promote a return to these values, Nietzsche undertakes a critique of the complacent rationalism of late nineteenth-century German culture and makes an impassioned plea for the regenerative potential of the music of Wagner. In its wide-ranging discussion of the nature of art, science and religion, Nietzsche's argument raises important questions about the problematic nature of cultural origins which are still of concern today.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Birth of Tragedy is Nietzsche's first work, and in his 'Attempt at Self-criticism' he was subsequently to reject its naïve tone, raw style and bald assertions of a Germanic cultural rebirth under the aegis of Wagner, whose influence Nietzsche had by that time repudiated. It is evidently the work of a young thinker whose opinions were not yet fully formed, yet to escape from influence of Schopenhauer. In comparison then, to his later masterpieces Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and Beyond Good and Evil, the Birth of Tragedy lacks Nietzsche's trademark vision and audacity.
That said, The Birth of Tragedy stands well as a work of its own accord; Nietzsche's war on Socratic optimism is began in this work, and the brilliant and influential Appollinian and Dionysian dialectic makes it first appearance here. Anyone interested in Greek tragedy or in Attic culture in general will undoubtedly benefit from reading the thoughts of a great thinker on the subject. Indeed it very difficult to dislike or dismiss Birth of Tragedy as a whole, despite the fact that it is flawed in parts. As with Nietzsche's other works, the sheer exuberance and intellectual excitement of the author enthuses the reader - and for this reason, recommends the work to anyone with taste for ancient Greece, or for Friedrich Nietzsche.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Nietzsche is a philosopher that most people have heard of. He is quoted, or at least mentioned, a lot, all over the place. But he also seems grossely misunderstood. He is not the anarchistic maniac that one would think he is from listening even to commentators that should know better. He was actually a philologist (a historian of language), and taught at University level before packing it all in to roam Europe and write his books. He is a colouful, eccentric, enthusiastic personality who also happens to talk a lot of sense. His style is often very instinctive, saying things that defy normal logic - they at first seem odd, but then one does realize that he is absolutely correct in what he is saying. This book outlines his view on the importance in art of combining the sensible, ordered 'Apollonian' principle, with the wild and musically intoxicated 'Dyonisian' principle. He berates the 'naivity' of Homerian Epic, which for him is the epitomy of Apollonian art, and praises the Attic tragedies, with special reference to the Oedipus trilogy of Sophocles. He also praises Shakespeare as well as Bach and Beethoven, and, of course, his then friend Richard Wagner, to whom Nietzsche dedicates the book.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This has never been my favorite Nietzsche, in fact the BoT is only marginally relevant to the philosophy of Nietzsche as we know it and indeed Nietzsche himself did not like it.
Still I *would* get this book (in this edition) because of the very good introduction featured at the start of it. It features many worthwhile points about the dionysian/apollonian dichtonomy that emerged because of this book.
Still I *would* get this book (in this edition) because of the very good introduction featured at the start of it. It features many worthwhile points about the dionysian/apollonian dichtonomy that emerged because of this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent modern edition of an important book
An excellent modern translation of Nietzsche's first book. The translator supplies a very useful contextual essay and helpful notes. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Paul Bowes
Origins
This book is a heavy read but it's good to see where Nietzsche started his writing from.
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by Santo Gesu Stygius
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