The title of
Götzen-Dämmerung[
Twilight of the Idols, 1869], written by Nietzsche in 1888 and published in 1889, parodies
Götterdämmerung[
Twilight of the Gods, 1876], the last in Richard Wagner’s cycle of four operas which make up
Der Ring des Nibelungen. The title is supposed to be “eine Erholung, ein Sonnenfleck” (“a relaxation, a sunspot”) but Nietzsche’s predominantly negative critique in fact is directed against many great philosophers and literary figures, they being the idols Nietzsche wishes to sound out. The subtitle, “Wie man mit dem Hammer philosophirt” (“how one philosophizes with a hammer”) is an indicator of the degree of subtlety employed in his approach towards them, which he likens to a declaration of war. The text is divided into twelve sections…
2505 words
Citation: Gallagher, David. "Die Götzen-Dämmerung". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 December 2010 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=5593, accessed 23 April 2024.]
