The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and Pessimism (Version 2)


Lu par John Van Stan

(4.7 stars; 19 reviews)

This is one of Nietzsche's early academic writings - a scholarly theory about Ancient Greek theatre, specifically tragedies. In a nutshell, this work theorizes about why (Greek) spectators enjoy watching actors in a long series of scenes that depict human suffering (i.e., tragedy). It is a curious question, especially at the time since scholars generally thought of the Greeks as "A race of men, well-fashioned, beautiful, envied, life-inspiring, like no other race hitherto" (per Nietzsche's introduction). What did they need tragedy for? The question itself, and the path Nietzsche takes to answer this question, outraged the academic world. Later, an older Nietzsche criticizes this book himself and warns the reader that this text "should be treated with some consideration and reserve; yet I shall not altogether conceal how disagreeable it now appears to me, how after sixteen years it stands a total stranger before me."   - Summary by jvanstan (7 hr 52 min)

Chapitres

Introduction by E. Förster-Nietzsche 44:40 Lu par John Van Stan
An Attempt At Self-Criticism 36:25 Lu par John Van Stan
Foreword To Richard Wagner 3:15 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 1 14:35 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 2 10:40 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 3 10:45 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 4 12:11 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 5 18:20 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 6 12:00 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 7 16:15 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 8 20:40 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 9 18:25 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 10 10:55 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 11 17:05 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 12 18:10 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 13 10:25 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 14 13:55 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 15 16:15 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 16 18:30 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 17 17:45 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 18 13:12 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 19 24:30 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 20 8:50 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 21 21:25 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 22 13:40 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 23 13:40 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 24 13:55 Lu par John Van Stan
Chapter 25 5:07 Lu par John Van Stan
Appendix and Translator's Note 16:37 Lu par John Van Stan

Critiques

One of Nietzsche's Greatest


(4 stars)

I don't understand how people can say this book is weak when compared with the rest of Nietzsche's corpus. The views expressed in it are simply marvelous. As for the reader/narrator. It's one of the best works on this platform, a performance like this could easily be charged for, yet it's here for free, in the public domain. I can't give enough thanks for that.

More interesting than expected!


(5 stars)

The reader does well conveying the message of these somewhat complex statements. Pauses at right moments, has nice inflection, etc.

Brilliancy of Nietzsche


(5 stars)

A great reading to start understanding Nietzsche's complex ideas in a more thoughtful way!

wow


(5 stars)

a great work and we'll read

Needs more gay sex


(5 stars)

Greeks had good and bad points. The problem with this story is it only focuses on the negative aspects of Greek society. Instead of focusing on the good aspect of Greek society, namely that they were homosexual, the author instead focuses on their bad aspects, namely their culture. Greek culture is inescapably white. This is problematic because whiteness and western civilization is now know to be entirely evil. Nietzsche needs to focus only on gay Greek homosexual orgies. If he did this the story could be made into a movie by Disney, and all would be good