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Of the Preachers of Death
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Rethinking Morality
The Superman and the Will to Power
Death of God and Christianity
Eternal Recurrence
Summary
Analysis
Zarathustra says that he is the best enemy of his companions, and since they would not wish to be spared by him, he will tell them the truth. He calls them to be warriors, always on the lookout for enemies. They should always wage war for their opinions, even if that means honest defeat, and peace should just be the prelude to a new war. Zarathustra says that courage is better than charity, bravery better than pity—it’s bravery that actually saves those who are in need.
The Superman must be fought for—and Zarathustra’s companions must therefore be ready to go into battle for the truth at all times, and not tire of this. For warriors, courage is more active and effective than mere pity, which doesn’t do anything for the needy.
Themes
Zarathustra urges his listeners to love life with an eye toward their highest hope, and their highest hope should be aimed at their highest idea—which is that man should be something to be overcome. It’s in light of this that one should conduct one’s warfare, fighting unsparingly.
Zarathustra’s followers must always be guided by their belief in the Superman, striving to overcome themselves. This is what love for life looks like: it is always oriented toward the future instead of the present.
Themes
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