Some thoughts on “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” Part One — Of the Three Metamorphoses

This book is my first attempt to approach Nietzsche’s philosophy. At first I struggled with his implication of words and metaphor because of my limited knowledge such as Geek mythology, prior philosophers etc, but then I am fascinated when I am getting used to it, his writing style encourages me to think and imagine further, his works are inspirational.

Nietzsche wrote this book in German, but I never learnt this language so I have to read the English versions. I am trying translations of R. J. Hollingdale and Walter Kaufmann. To me R. J. Hollingdale one is more imaginative while Walter Kaufmann one is easier to understand, they are both great in their ways.

After I finished part one, I really felt like writing down my feelings as there are lots of thoughts happening in my head. My understanding could be arguable, if anyone has a disagreement, I would appreciate that you can point out.

With gratitude, I also want to mention the Sub Reddit r/Zarathustra and r/Nietzsche which provide so many insight to me.

Of the Three Metamorphoses

Zarathurstra reached a town called “The Pied Cow” to seek his companions. He mentioned Three Metamorphoses of Spirit which are from Camel to Lion, and from Lion to Child.

Camel

Since we have been born, we’ve already lived in a world shaped by social norms, rules of a state, religion (in Nietzsche’s era it’s more powerful than today). We have naturally absorbed many ideas in the place. With these loading upon us we don’t have the chance to ask and think why and what, and that hurts because we our wills couldn’t speak, it is the heaviest for a Camel like spirit. The only option left is to exhibit the order harder than the authority’s expectation. This spirit recalls me of a character called Boxer in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, his two favourite sayings: “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right.”

Z mentions Camel would bear the burdens and hasten into his own desert, that implies he would resist sooner or later, because in his own journey his will couldn’t be submitted for long.

Lion

When Camel is trying to rebel the existing values depicted as a great dragon called “Thou shalt (You Shall)”, it becomes Lion and says a “Sacred No” to it. Lion wants to be the conqueror of his own journey, in his mind freedom is not free, he fights and takes back the freedom from his once loved “Thou Shalt”.

But when it comes to creating new values, the Lion-like spirit isn’t pure enough because he is being preoccupied by the defiance against “Thou shalt”.

Like all who once in chains were bound, He hears around him — iron clinking.

From Nietzsche’s The Gay Science

Child

Child is the perfect spirit to create new values because he is innocent and forgetful, he can truly be driven by his will as his mind is clear and pure, he can say a “Sacred Yes” which is impossible for the Lion. In the later chapter Z has mentioned living in solitude, staying away from the noise and letting the will speak. These are essential to develop creativity.

In the prologue Z prophesies that Man is the bridge of evolution between Ape to Superman. When there are enough people with their own-created virtue, it is like a dark cloud formed from numerous raindrops, waiting for the first lightning which is the coming of Superman.

My concerns

Religion nowadays has lower power, and some of my friends have faith in God, but they will not blindly believe in the doctrine. It seems religion doesn’t necessarily conflict with will as long as we know what position we put God into. At the moment the authoritarian or dictatorship regime is more a blocker for us to create our character, We need more evolutions from Camel to Lion on the planet first.