The Birth of TragedyAmong the most influential philosophers of modern times, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) declared in this classic study that Greek tragedy achieved greatness through a fusion of elements of Apollonian restraint and control with Dionysian components of passion and the irrational. In Nietzsche's eyes, however, Greek tragedy had been destroyed by the rationalism and optimism of thinkers like Socrates. Nevertheless, he found in these ancient works the life-affirming concept that existence is still beautiful, however grim and depressing it may sometimes be. These and many other ideas are argued with passionate conviction in this challenging book, called by British classicist F. M. Cornford "a work of profound imaginative insight, which left the scholarship of a generation toiling in the rear." |
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able according action already Apollo Apollonian appearance artistic attained beauty become begins believe character cheerfulness chorus completely concept contemplation continually contrast culture desire Dionysian Dionysus divine drama dreams effect element entire essence essential esthetic eternal Euripides excitement existence experience expression eyes fact feeling figures force genius German give Greek Greek tragedy hand heart Hellenic hero highest Homer ideal illusion imagine imitation impulse individual influence knowledge language latter live longer lyric means merely metaphysical mind mysterious myth namely nature never once opera origin ourselves passions perception perhaps phenomena phenomenon picture poet poetry possible present primitive pure reality regard relation revealed satyr scene seems sense significance Socrates speak spectator spirit stage sublime suffering symbolic things thought tion tragedy tragic true truth turn understand universal vision whole wisdom