The Ubermensch

[WICKES]

1. What do you think Nietzsche meant by the Ubermensch?

2. Do you think any fictional characters possess these qualities?

How about Falstaff?

[prendrelemick]

He didn't mean a Master race of men as the Nazi's interpreted the word.

I think he meant the next stage in the evolution of mankind, given that God is dead, so we are no longer judged or regarded as fallen creatures.

As for a fictional Übermensch, Harry Potter? (just kidding)

[Jeremiah Jazzz]

I believe Nietzsche meant a man who is still a man but has qualities unthinkable to the man of the now. These qualities would be probably built upon the lack or dissatisfaction-basically disapproval of what the man of now relies on.

I honestly can' think of any fictional characters that sync up with my definition of ze Übermensch. In Hermann Hesse's Steppenwolf, Harry Haller is oddly close to Nietzsche's super man, but I wouldn't say so in the end...

[Lokasenna]

Nietzsche's superman, as a character, is the Zarathustra he created. I can see Falstaff having a little bit in common, but I think its a bit of a stretch to be honest!

[SirRaustusBear]

How about Helmholtz from Brave New World. Everything seems to come easily for him, and yet he is above the pleasures of success and chooses to leave them behind in exchange for truth.

[cfh]

interesting comments and as far as the evolution of a superhumam being fictionalized i would envision something along the line of a cylon from bsg, ai or extraterrestrial hybrid.

[JBI]

T. S. Eliot (yes he is a character).