Frostball
06-25-2014, 02:56 PM
I recently read Nietzsche's Birth of Tragedy, and it as it was my first venture into reading one of Nietzsche's works it was a wild but enjoyable read.
One thing I learned a lot about from reading it is Greek Tragedy. Nietzsche seemed to think it was the epitome of art, with the perfect balance of the Apollonian and Dionysian and whatnot. I'm curious what others think. I started reading a couple Greek Tragedies, and plan on finishing them. So far they interest me, as I find Greek culture an interesting subject, but I find find it difficult to believe I will end up placing them above more modern works.
Another thing I learned a lot about was Richard Wagner. I've started listening to some of his works, and watched the first part of Tristan und Isolde, which I actually thought was pretty awesome. I haven't ever been exposed to opera, and have always thought it was a bit on the silly side, and quite old fashioned. But, as I said, I watched part 1 of Tristan und Isolde, and from about 5 minutes to the end I was pretty entertained. My views on opera have certainly shifted. I also would like to know what others think of Richard Wagner.
In reading Birth of Tragedy, I think I can see how Nietzsche was trying to see art. I've been trying to look at everything, all the art around us and the feelings in side of me, in terms of the Appolonian and Dionysian. Basically I've been trying it on for size, and it is quite interesting. However, I've heard that Nietzsche later somewhat recanted a lot of the things in Birth of Tragedy, which is perfectly fine considering it was his first work. Does anybody else see anything in these ideas as real, or an actual useful way of looking at things? I enjoyed it simply as a good read, myself, and am glad to have learned about Greek Tragedy and Richard Wagner, but I'm not sure the actual philosophical ideas will affected me very much.
Long post, I have many thoughts, apparently. I suppose the book certainly made me think, at least. If anybody has any thoughts on any one of these things, I would very much like to hear them.
One thing I learned a lot about from reading it is Greek Tragedy. Nietzsche seemed to think it was the epitome of art, with the perfect balance of the Apollonian and Dionysian and whatnot. I'm curious what others think. I started reading a couple Greek Tragedies, and plan on finishing them. So far they interest me, as I find Greek culture an interesting subject, but I find find it difficult to believe I will end up placing them above more modern works.
Another thing I learned a lot about was Richard Wagner. I've started listening to some of his works, and watched the first part of Tristan und Isolde, which I actually thought was pretty awesome. I haven't ever been exposed to opera, and have always thought it was a bit on the silly side, and quite old fashioned. But, as I said, I watched part 1 of Tristan und Isolde, and from about 5 minutes to the end I was pretty entertained. My views on opera have certainly shifted. I also would like to know what others think of Richard Wagner.
In reading Birth of Tragedy, I think I can see how Nietzsche was trying to see art. I've been trying to look at everything, all the art around us and the feelings in side of me, in terms of the Appolonian and Dionysian. Basically I've been trying it on for size, and it is quite interesting. However, I've heard that Nietzsche later somewhat recanted a lot of the things in Birth of Tragedy, which is perfectly fine considering it was his first work. Does anybody else see anything in these ideas as real, or an actual useful way of looking at things? I enjoyed it simply as a good read, myself, and am glad to have learned about Greek Tragedy and Richard Wagner, but I'm not sure the actual philosophical ideas will affected me very much.
Long post, I have many thoughts, apparently. I suppose the book certainly made me think, at least. If anybody has any thoughts on any one of these things, I would very much like to hear them.