Glenn Russell's Reviews > The Birth of Tragedy

The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche
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With his vivid, passionate language, 19th century German philosopher Fredrich Nietzsche wrote his books as a way to pry open a space in a reader’s psyche, a space empowering an individual to embark on a journey of inner exploration. This is precisely why I think any attempt, no matter how well intended, to rephrase, paraphrase or synopsize Nietzsche, without including a fair amount of Nietzsche’s actual words, is a terrible injustice committed against one of the greatest literary stylists in the modern world. Thus I have included the below direct quotes from the first section of his book to allow Nietzsche, even in this brief review, to speak for himself. Please take my modest comments coupled with each quote as an invitation to explore this classic work on your own.

“We shall have gained much for the science of aesthetics, once we perceive not merely by logical inference, but with the immediate certainty of vision, that the continuous development of art is bound up with the Apollonian and Dionysian duality – just as procreation depending on the duality of the sexes.”

Nietzsche saw Greek tragedy as a prime example of how those ancient Greeks actually got it right; those ancients developed an accurate picture of the world as irrational, chaotic, primal Dionysian energy, energy that had to be softened, sweetened and otherwise contained by the Apollonian illusion of order, pattern and predictability (in a tragic play, such things as plot and character) to develop an art form acceptable to the public. The combination and balance of these two forces – chaotic Dionysian and orderly Apollonian – resulted in the Greek tragedy.

“In order to grasp these two tendencies, let us first conceive of them as the separate art worlds of dreams and intoxication.”

The two tendencies are the Apollonian and the Dionysian. The nature of the Apollonian is the dream that the world follows an ordered, harmonious, rational law; the nature of the Dionysian is the world as in the grip of chaotic, dark, vile, irrational forces. The type of art associated with the Apollonian would be Greek sculpture, such as marble statues of gods and goddesses portrayed as beings of great harmony, serenity and proportion. On the other hand, an example of the Dionysian would be a wild intoxicated nocturnal dance where the dancers are goaded into a frenzied swirl by a cacophony of deafening drums and flutes.

“The beautiful illusion of the dream worlds, in the creation of which every man is truly an artist, is the prerequisite of all plastic art.”

As frequently acknowledged, every child is an artist. Indeed, we all in our own way, beginning as children, create a picture world in our minds, featuring beautiful, fantastic illusions: breathtaking glass mountains, carefree, winged creatures soaring in the sky, elaborate castles, worlds of adventure and pleasure free of those irksome burdens such as sickness, hunger, disease, intense pain. It is these very marvelous, fanciful dreams that serve as the foundation for visual artworks created with paints and stone. Sidebar: It is this same artistic, imaginative tendency we all have that enables us to easily construct inner visual pictures as we read a work of fiction. Nietzsche would like us to extend our imaginative capacity, urging us to bring real style to our character and view ourselves as a work of art.

“Philosophical men even have a presentiment that the reality in which we live and have our being is also mere appearance, and that another, quite different reality lies beneath it. Schopenhauer actually indicates as the criterion of philosophical ability the occasional ability to view men and things are mere phantoms or dream images.”

Here Nietzsche is hinting at how philosophy beginning with Socrates and Plato, pushed the chaotic irrational forces of the universe to one side, even calling them phantoms or dream images. What truly matters in this view of the universe is reason. Reason is king. And since reason is at the heart of this philosophic conception of the universe, the very heartbeat of reality, why continue to have tragedy performed, an art form claiming chaos is at the heart of the universe? Nietzsche goes into great detail on how Socratic philosophy brought about the death of Greek tragedy.

“Function of art: to give us a hint of a truth, a truth that the world was chaotic and meaningless but, equally, art had to shield us from this dark, dreadful reality.”

This line of thinking is at the very core of why Nietzsche loved Greek tragedy: the tragic performance would give an audience a glimpse of the true nature of the world’s dark chaos but do it in a way via the dramatic art of plot, character and other theatrical devices to protect, to buffer and safeguard the audience so they could continue living and managing life in their society.

“Thus the aesthetically sensitive man stands in the same relation to the reality of dreams as the philosopher does to the reality of existence; he is a close and willing observer, for these images afford him an interpretation of life, and by reflecting on these processes he trains himself for life.”

As the philosopher uses logic, reason and analysis, so the aesthetically attuned person uses the dream-worlds of sleep, hallucinogens, the arts and creative imagination to explore different dimensions of experience. Nietzsche perceived the dark, chaotic forces of the universe as prominent, at the heart of the heart of life. He could see how these irrational forces could energize human experience rather than driving people down into hopeless despair and renunciation.



“Either under the influence of the narcotic draught, of which the songs of all primitive men and peoples speak, or with the potent coming of spring that penetrates all nature with joy, these Dionysian emotions awake, or as they grow in intensity everything subjective vanishes into complete self-forgetfulness.”

Here Nietzsche is alluding to our willing surrender of our sense of separate individuality to the swirl of joyful, ecstatic unity with the universe. In our modern world, one could think of a rave concert. Drugs and the ecstatic state, anyone?

“In song and in dance man expresses himself as a member of a higher community; he has forgotten how to walk and speak and is on the way toward flying into the air, dancing. His very gestures express enchantment.”

Taking the raw, primal energy and filtering it through Apollonian illusion. Here Nietzsche is suggesting art gives shape, form and color; art peddles a certain untruth since ultimately there is only the dark, irrational chaos. But this artistic untruth is completely necessary; otherwise, we couldn’t face the chaos.

“The noblest clay, the most costly marble, man, is here kneaded and cut, and to the sound of the chisel strokes of the Dionysian world-artist rings out the cry of the Eleusinian mysteries: “Do you prostrate yourselves, millions? Do you sense your Maker, world?”

A question worthy of consideration: Is tragedy a method and approach to life that actually works? Perhaps it is time for us modern people to reclaim the power and beauty of tragedy.

*I would like to thank a number of contemporary British philosophers for their podcasts and books on Nietzsche’s philosophy of art and tragedy. Listened to their podcasts repeatedly and reading several of their books over the last few years has really deepened and enriched my understanding and appreciation for this exciting subject. They are: Aaron Ridley, Christopher Janaway, Alex Neill, Simon May and Ken Gemes.

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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
May 12, 2016 – Shelved
August 20, 2021 – Shelved as: favorite-books

Comments Showing 1-50 of 57 (57 new)


message 1: by [deleted user] (last edited May 15, 2016 02:30PM) (new)

What a wonderful review, I can feel how deeply you are immersed into Nietzsche’s philosophy of art and tragedy, your excitement and passion comes through vividly and is very catching ;-).
Thank you Glen for sharing your deep and rich understanding that is greatly appreciated.


message 2: by Glenn (last edited May 15, 2016 03:44PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Glenn Russell Heidi wrote: "What a wonderful review, I can feel how deeply you are immersed into Nietzsche’s philosophy of art and tragedy, your excitement and passion comes through vividly and is very catching ;-).
Thank you..."


Thanks so much, Heidi. You words are most appreciated. And, yes, I have returned again and again to this classic work, especially in the last few years. As I mentioned in my review, I have also benefited by the reflections of a number of contemporary philosophers in gaining a clearer insight into The Birth of Tragedy.

That's much of the nature of studying philosophy - we are best slowing down and not only pondering the ideas presented but also the space between the ideas. It takes a bit of time, but it's time well spent.


message 3: by [deleted user] (new)

Glenn, thank you for this comprehensive and articulate review, I have yet to read Nietzsche, but these snippets on art and aesthetics juxtaposed with your personal interpretations truly depict a vivid picture on how our irrational phantoms of experience; be it indulgences or turmoils, can assuage the otherwise bitter reality.


Glenn Russell Waqas wrote: "Glenn, thank you for this comprehensive and articulate review, I have yet to read Nietzsche, but these snippets on art and aesthetics juxtaposed with your personal interpretations truly depict a vi..."

My pleasure, Waqas! If you enjoy art and aesthetics, you should really take to this classic. And you will find a number of outstanding podcasts on the subject from Philosophy Bites. http://www.philosophybites.com/


message 5: by [deleted user] (new)

Glenn wrote: "Waqas wrote: "Glenn, thank you for this comprehensive and articulate review, I have yet to read Nietzsche, but these snippets on art and aesthetics juxtaposed with your personal interpretations tru..."

I love aesthetics very much, but I believe; I perceive/feel it on very much infantile level. I guess I have long way to go until I actually grasp its essence. I have been reading your musings from time to time on the subject, and I cannot help but feel a palpable sense of satisfaction for all the wonderful hues you've painted on my monochromatic mind. Thanks once again for the link, Glenn. I cannot wait to delve deep into it in my summer vacations, which isn't not too far, thankfully!


Glenn Russell Waqas wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Waqas wrote: "Glenn, thank you for this comprehensive and articulate review, I have yet to read Nietzsche, but these snippets on art and aesthetics juxtaposed with your personal inter..."

Sounds like a very fruitful summer for you!!


Glenn Russell Marita wrote: "Glenn, thanks for yet another well articulated and nicely illustrated review. :-)"

Why, thank you, Marita. It took me some time to feel confident enough to write a review of this Nietzsche book - it is so incredibly rich in ideas. And thanks so much, in turn, for reading.


Friend to God What a review!


Glenn Russell Inam wrote: "What a review!"

Thanks, Inan. This book is a real classic, for sure.


Steven Godin Great usage of the pictures Glenn, love the first one.


message 11: by Glenn (last edited Nov 26, 2016 03:24PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Glenn Russell Steven wrote: "Great usage of the pictures Glenn, love the first one."

Thanks, Steven. I've been writing reviews for several years but just did learn how to include pics in the last year. I agree - pics can add so much to a review. And that first pic really does fit the tone of Nietzsche's book. And, what a book! A true classic.


Glenn Russell Elizabeth wrote: "Bravo review. This was Nietzsche at his most realist."

Thanks, Elizabeth. The Birth of Tragedy was one of Nietzsche's very first books, and, in a very real sense, one of his finest. What a passionate, literary artist!


Brian Michels Before Nietzsche became unhinged he wrote this great work. It took a toll on me after I read it because it was my introduction to Nietzsche and everything I read afterwards was miscued; it scattered my thought process for a few years. The Joyful Wisdom, filled with remarkable poetry, was nearly like an acid trip. Thank goodness young minds have the capacity of recovering.


Glenn Russell Brian wrote: "Before Nietzsche became unhinged he wrote this great work. It took a toll on me after I read it because it was my introduction to Nietzsche and everything I read afterwards was miscued; it scattere..."

Amen, Bro.


message 15: by Manny (new)

Manny Very nice! As soon as I'm able to read this book, I will do so!

We shall have gained much for the science of aesthetics, once we perceive not merely by logical inference, but with the immediate certainty of vision, that the continuous development of art is bound up with the Apollonian and Dionysian duality

I think this is quoted by Jubal Harshaw (!) in Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land.

Nietzsche goes into great detail on how Socratic philosophy brought about the death of Greek tragedy.

There's an interesting resonance with A.N. Whitehead, who considered that Greek tragedy was the ultimate ancestor of modern science. Whitehead also calls science "anti-rational", and remarks on its antipathy to philosophical enterprises.


Glenn Russell Manny wrote: "Very nice! As soon as I'm able to read this book, I will do so!

We shall have gained much for the science of aesthetics, once we perceive not merely by logical inference, but with the immediate ce..."


Thanks, Manny.

I have not read Heinlein's novel but I can appreciate how a science fiction author would be taken by this book by Nietzsche.

There's an interesting resonance with A.N. Whitehead, who considered that Greek tragedy was the ultimate ancestor of modern science. Whitehead also calls science "anti-rational", and remarks on its antipathy to philosophical enterprises. ----------- Now your comment as part of your review of Whitehead's book makes much more sense to me.


Glenn Russell Ba wrote: "Thank you! again and never enough..."

My pleasure, Ba! And thanks so much for reading.


message 18: by Ted (new) - rated it 5 stars

Ted Bookmarked. Second link _here_ (section B).

I've always considered this Nietzsche's most interesting and seminal work.


Glenn Russell Ted wrote: "Bookmarked. Second link _here_ (section B).

I've always considered this Nietzsche's most interesting and seminal work."


Thanks, Ted! Yes, a great work published when Fritz was only 28.


message 20: by Lisa (new)

Lisa Great review, Glenn! i read this ages ago for my university studies, and I am very tempted to give it another try after your review!


Glenn Russell Lisa wrote: "Great review, Glenn! i read this ages ago for my university studies, and I am very tempted to give it another try after your review!"

Thanks, Lisa. Even if you only read part one, the part usually included in anthologies of philosophy of art texts, it will certainly be worth it.


message 22: by Anh (new)

Anh Best review I've ever read! Thanks so much!


message 23: by Glenn (last edited Oct 13, 2017 02:03AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Glenn Russell Anh wrote: "Best review I've ever read! Thanks so much!"

You are certainly welcome. Thanks so much, in turn, Anh! Considering all the well read and extraordinarily well-educated reviewers here on Goodreads and the thousands of perceptive reviews I've read, I take your complement as high indeed!


message 24: by Anh (new)

Anh Glenn wrote: "Anh wrote: "Best review I've ever read! Thanks so much!"

You are certainly welcome. Thanks so much, in turn, Anh! Considering all the well read and extraordinarily well-educated reviewers here on ..."


Btw, I'm reading this book with the translation from Shaun Whiteside and it seems to be different from the ones that you included here. Is your version Walter Kaufmann's?


Glenn Russell Anh wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Anh wrote: "Best review I've ever read! Thanks so much!"

You are certainly welcome. Thanks so much, in turn, Anh! Considering all the well read and extraordinarily well-educated revi..."


Haussmann's translation. Here is a link: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/51356/...


message 26: by Jean-Marc (new) - added it

Jean-Marc Bonnet Excellent review Glenn.


message 27: by Glenn (last edited Oct 13, 2017 08:37AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Glenn Russell Jean-Marc wrote: "Excellent review Glenn."

Thanks very much, Jean-Marc! Most appreciated since my review in a very real sense is the fruit of many years of studying the text . Not to mention my past participation in intense Grotowski-style physical theater, dance and music.


message 28: by Kamakana (new) - added it

Kamakana and Nietzsche is (sometimes) very comic... read for knowledge, stay for laughs...


message 29: by Gary (new)

Gary Inbinder Excellent, Glenn. You get to the gist of Nietzsche's aesthetic philosophy.


Glenn Russell the gift wrote: "and Nietzsche is (sometimes) very comic... read for knowledge, stay for laughs..."

Agreed! Joyous wisdom is nothing without a strong dose of the comic.


Glenn Russell Gary wrote: "Excellent, Glenn. You get to the gist of Nietzsche's aesthetic philosophy."

Thanks, Gary. Although I must say it took me some time to clarify for myself his thinking on the arts and aesthetic experience. As I noted, I had some great guidance from a number of British philosophers.


message 32: by David (new)

David Total agreement with your review, Glenn. Nietzsche was right about how the Greeks viewed the world, trying to put reason over chaos. Sure helps to explain tragedy and better than the literal “goat songs” (tragos odos)!


message 33: by Gary (new)

Gary Inbinder Glenn wrote: "Gary wrote: "Excellent, Glenn. You get to the gist of Nietzsche's aesthetic philosophy."

Thanks, Gary. Although I must say it took me some time to clarify for myself his thinking on the arts and a..."


Several years ago I wrote Nemo on the Shore, a short story inspired by Nietzche's The Birth of Tragedy. The Apollonian/Dionysian Dichotomy is referenced in the narrative. It's a brief absurdist tragicomedy with an allusion to Zorba the Greek in the ending. If you have a few minutes to spare, I'd be interested to hear what you think of it.

http://www.bewilderingstories.com/iss...


message 34: by Paul (new) - rated it 4 stars

Paul Spence Glenn, this was a very perceptive and insightful review of The Birth of Tragedy. You have insight into Nietzsche and TBOT. After reading your review, I want to reread the book again.


Glenn Russell David wrote: "Total agreement with your review, Glenn. Nietzsche was right about how the Greeks viewed the world, trying to put reason over chaos. Sure helps to explain tragedy and better than the literal “goat ..."

Thanks, David. I recall my college aesthetics prof saying the Greeks were unique in the ancient world in their creation of tragedy, how no other ancient culture has counterparts to Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides.


Glenn Russell Gary wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Gary wrote: "Excellent, Glenn. You get to the gist of Nietzsche's aesthetic philosophy."

Thanks, Gary. Although I must say it took me some time to clarify for myself his thinking on ..."


Thanks, Gary! I'm off to a museum today but reading your piece is on my docket for this evening. I'll let you know.


Glenn Russell Paul wrote: "Glenn, this was a very perceptive and insightful review of The Birth of Tragedy. You have insight into Nietzsche and TBOT. After reading your review, I want to reread the book again."

Thanks, Paul! A great piece of writing, especially the first part. Hope you enjoy. If you do audio, there is an audible.com version available for this work. I listened to several times - excellent narrator. Link: https://www.audible.com/search?keywor...


message 38: by Paul (new) - rated it 4 stars

Paul Spence I have the Audible audio book. I picked it up in December. I plan on listening to it and On The Genealogy of Morals, which I think is Nietzsche's masterpiece.


message 39: by Glenn (last edited Jan 09, 2019 03:32PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Glenn Russell Gary wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Gary wrote: "Excellent, Glenn. You get to the gist of Nietzsche's aesthetic philosophy."

Thanks, Gary. Although I must say it took me some time to clarify for myself his thinking on ..."


Excellent, Gary!

Repent, you miserable sinners! It’s later than you think!”

The friends ignored him, and walked on. ----------------- Now those are two cool (and wise) cats who have imbibed the spirit of Nietzsche's book on Greek Tragedy!!


Glenn Russell Paul wrote: "I have the Audible audio book. I picked it up in December. I plan on listening to it and On The Genealogy of Morals, which I think is Nietzsche's masterpiece."

That's wonderful, Paul. Enjoy!


message 41: by Gary (new)

Gary Inbinder Glenn wrote: "Gary wrote: "Glenn wrote: "Gary wrote: "Excellent, Glenn. You get to the gist of Nietzsche's aesthetic philosophy."

Thanks, Gary. Although I must say it took me some time to clarify for myself his..."


Thanks, Glenn! Glad you liked it. :)


Caterina Brilliant review and choice quotations from a breathtaking book that has been very influential on me; it changed my thinking. And his prose is such a pleasure to read, even in translation. Thank you for reminding me how much I loved this book, putting it in my favorites!


Glenn Russell Caterina wrote: "Brilliant review and choice quotations from a breathtaking book that has been very influential on me; it changed my thinking. And his prose is such a pleasure to read, even in translation. Thank yo..."

Thanks, Caterina! Since you are immersed in the arts, I can appreciate how much power Nietzsche's work must have had for you. It took me some time to muster up the courage to write this review - I wanted to make sure my every choice of quote and my every comment was accurate and clear. As I noted, I received much guidance by listening to the podcasts of a number of contemporary philosophers on the topic of Nietzsche's aesthetic.


message 44: by Denis.Alb (new)

Denis.Alb Hello, I want to thank you for sharing your opinion on these book.
In all modesty I think some of your interpretations (especially in the first, second and fourth quotes interpretations) need a little more metaphysical perspective, which is literally the premise on which these book is based.
However, in general it deserves to be appreciated.


message 45: by Glenn (last edited Feb 13, 2020 01:24PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Glenn Russell Denis.Alb wrote: "Hello, I want to thank you for sharing your opinion on these book.
In all modesty I think some of your interpretations (especially in the first, second and fourth quotes interpretations) need a lit..."


Thanks, Denis. You are certainly welcome. I attempt to make my reviews as clear and helpful as possible. Of all the 900+ books I've reviewed on Goodreads, I must say The Birth of Tragedy was one of the toughest to review. Scholars, philosophers, art critics and literary critics have been arguing over this work for more than 100 years.

Here's a podcast re Nietzsche on the nature of art, literature and music I found most helpful. Perhaps you might enjoy. Link: https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/b/8/2/b827...


Glenn Russell Greta wrote: "Amazing Glenn! It has been so long since I last read Nietzsche...thank you!"

My pleasure, Greta. I have found this specific work of Nietzsche particularly compelling since it hits so directly on literature, art, music and the aesthetic experience in all its various dimensions.


message 47: by Sebastian (new)

Sebastian Siles Ramirez Thanks for the recommendations


Glenn Russell Sebastian wrote: "Thanks for the recommendations"

My pleasure, Sebastian. I tried to make my review here as clear as possible while including a number of direct Nietzsche quotes.


message 49: by Lea (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lea What a brilliant review Glenn! I'm truly in awe, thank you. I have to start the new year with Nietzsche now.


Glenn Russell Lea wrote: "What a brilliant review Glenn! I'm truly in awe, thank you. I have to start the new year with Nietzsche now."

You made my 1/1, Lea! This is a timeless classic. Enjoy your Nietzsche! If you listen to audio books, there's a great intro: Nietzsche - A Short Introduction by Michael Tanner.


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