The Original Superman

Friedrich Nietzsche's novel, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, cites the author's critique of late nineteenth century society and its beliefs in faith or religion. The protagonist, a prophet named Zarathustra, descends from his mountain caves, promising to enlighten the world. This is an echo of Socrates' famous allegory, concerning the promised enlightenment of those men and women who step away from the dark shadows of our perceived world and into true reality. Thus, Nietzsche seems almost to be alluding towards a new renaissance.

The key belief that Zarathustra preaches, is that of God being 'dead', declaring instead that mankind must itself become 'godlike'. Whether Nietzsche believed in a divine being is somewhat irrelevant. He is suggesting that the idea of a God and religion can no longer maintain a strong society and dismisses them as 'old' theories. Instead, the new ideology is that of the 'Superman'.

Zarathustra tells the people that man must overcome itself, fighting against innate weaknesses, including everyday human emotions and even hunger and fatigue. In so doing, man evolves to become the ultimate being, the Superman, and achieve its destiny. Those who refute it, become a part of 'The Last Man', left behind to effectively 'de-evolve', standing still within time.

The book seems almost dictatorial, demanding readers to accept its ideas and scorning those who do not. Indeed, I would argue Nietzsche feels embarassed by mankind and its failures to achieve its higher purpose, instead sitting in idleness, holding one another back. This may be reflected in the short section describing the rope-dancer, who is assaulted midway through his performance by a fellow madman, plunging to his death. The author even makes this symbolic meaning clear, when he talks of a metaphorical bridge between man and the Superman, which must be crossed before achieving enlightenment.

He is thus introducing a new take on the ancient, eternal conflict between good and evil; one that has been acknowledged since the days of Plato and Aristotle. This strive for power, he is insinuating, is one that must be fought within the 'inner self', as we seek to cast aside our mortal souls in search of a purer form of existence. This reflects the emphasis on the importance of individualism that was prevalent at the time, and was a key theme in the modernist movement.

Thus Spoke Zarathustra is a work that provokes much thought amongst readers. For example, it's subtitle, 'A Book for All and None', is literally paradoxical and on the surface makes no sense to readers. However, after closer thought, it may be interpreted as a philosophical statement that stresses the contrast between man and the Superman; the novel is for those who are not yet enlightened (those being the former), while those who have evolved into a godlike being (the latter), have no need for material possessions such as books.

As for the idea of the Superman itself, I'm of the belief that in its current state, mankind would find it impossible to evolve into such a being. Although Nietzsche's ideas are greatly self-encouraging, allowing readers to pertain to the idea that they have a greater purpose in life, his prediction that religion would soon collapse has somewhat been found out. With the emergence of science, religion may have slipped into decline over the last few hundred years, however it is still a major part of society.

Perhaps Nietzsche and Zarathustra were ahead of their time, and mankind was not and still is not yet ready for the coming of a super human.