Friedrich Nietzche Essays - Friedrich Nietzsche,

Friedrich Nietzche Friedrich Nietzche was born in Rocken. He spent much of his time alone, reading the Bible. Nietzsches father died in 1849. The young man withdrew deeper into religion. Friedrich received a scholarship to Schulpforta, an elite prepatory school with only 200 students, in October 1858. The scholarship as intended to fund Nietzches training for the clergy. His mother, Franziska, and his young sister, Elizabeth, are dedicated to Friedrichs success, certain of his future. At the age of 18,Nietzsche lost his faith in traditional religion. His faith received a fatal blow when he found philosophy. In 1865 Nietzsche discovered Schopenhauers World as Will and Idea. The work forever challenged Nietzsches view of the world. Schopenhauers philosophy was rather dark for its time; it became a part of Nietzsches world-view was it was well suited to his nature. It seemed as if Schopenhauer were addressing me personally. I felt his enthusiasm, and seemed to see him before me. Every line cried aloud for renunciation, denial, and resignation. -Nietzsche Nietzche was conscripted into the military at the age of 23. While he had hoped to avoid the draft, he had no such luck. He was not destined to be in the military however, soon falling from a horse. Nietzsches shoulder and chest were injured, possibly torn muscles, and he was released from service having not yet complete training. Curiously, Nietzsche continued to idealize the military and its orderly way of life despite not wanting to serve in the army. His respect for the individual gave at times to a need for order. The University of Basle appointed Nietzsche to a chair when he was 25 years old. As a professor of classical philology, Nietzsche spent days lecturing and analyzing Latin and Greek works. He later recalled this as a most unheroic contribution to mankind, wishing he had pursued a more active and socially valuable career, such as medicine. Nietzsche never was satisfied with his own value. In 1869, composer Richard Wagner invited Nietzsche to spend a winter holiday with him in Tribschen. Wagner was living with another mans wife and was not known for his conformity. Somehow, Wagner appealed to Nietzsches sense of adventure. Nietzsche was so taken by Wagner that he decided his first book would be a tribute to Wagners music. Unfortunately, the writing this work was delayed by war in 1870, when Germany and France went to war Still romanticizing the life of soldiers, Nietzsche went to volunteer for military service. This time the army refused him due to his poor eyesight, in addition to his weak upper body. Nietzsche found it possible to serve as a medic, allowing him as close to medicine as his nature would ever allow. As he quickly learned, Nietzsche did not like the sight of blood, and the suffering of others made him ill. He eventually fell ill, possibly due to stress, and was sent home. The Birth of Tragedy out of the Spirit of Music was published in 1872. With the publication of The Birth of Tragedy, Nietzsche returned to Baasle to lecture. The work became a subject of ridicule in academic circles, but the nobility and nationalists loved it. Nietzsche became a celebrity, standing he put to work on behalf of his friend Wagner. The two men were able to convince the government to fund the construction of the Bayreuth theatre, which would feature Wagners works. The Bayreuth was completed in 1876. On August 12, 1876, the Emperor arrived to hear Wagners The Ring of Nibelung, a work Wagner considered his masterpiece. To his dismay, Nietzsche found he hated the work. He made an excuse to depart, and promptly took a vacation to reconsider his opinion of Wagners music and Prussian culture in general. At least Nietzsche was not alone: the long multi-day performance proved a failure financially and in terms of attendance. Wagners public star fadedat least for a bit. Physically and mentally, Nietzsche collapsed in 1879. He was certain death was near and even arranged his funeral with his sisters assistance. Nietzsche recovered from this primarily emotional collapse, but he knew that he had come close to death. The experience changed Nietzsche for a time. He enjoyed life and the universe around him. For a bit, he was happy. The