Chapter 34 The Birth of Tragedy Chapter 20

birth of tragedy Chapter Twenty One day, before an impartial judge, it will be possible to judge at what age and in whom the German spirit has most steadfastly tried to learn from the ancient Greeks.But if we admit with confidence that the scholarship of Goethe, Schiller, and Winckelmann deserves special praise, we are compelled to add that since their time, following the immediate influence of their struggles, the same lines have A glimpse of Greek culture and the efforts of the ancient Greeks, but inexplicably declining day by day.Should we not draw the following conclusions in order that we may not be completely disappointed in the German spirit?Even these warriors, I think, can neither penetrate to the core of Greek character nor establish a lasting bond between German and Greek culture.Therefore, unknowingly seeing this shortcoming may cause sincere people to lose confidence and doubt whether we can follow those pioneers to take a step forward on this cultural road, or whether we can achieve our goal after all.Thus, since that time, we have seen a very serious decline in the rhetoric about the cultural contribution of the Greeks.In all sorts of academic and non-academic camps one can hear a tone of condescending pity or, on other occasions, a show of useless rhetoric about "Greek harmony," "Greek harmony." Beauty", "Greek optimism" and so on.Even among those societies which have made it their honorable mission to draw upon the wellsprings of Greek culture for the benefit of German culture, and among the professors of higher education institutions, it was thought that it would be best to come to terms with the ancient Greeks in due time, and often to the point of holding Abandoning the Greek ideal with skepticism, or even running counter to the real purpose of ancient study.In those groups, there are still some people who still have enough energy to try to be a reliable collation of ancient books, or a fine appraisal of the history of language development. He may also try to study Greek antiquity "historically" together with other antiquities. , but always in the manner of the educated historians of the day, and with the air of arrogance.Therefore, when the actual educational function of our higher education institutions is no longer inferior and weaker than it is today, today's paper slaves "journalists" have defeated the professors in all aspects of culture, and the professors can only repeat the past. The transformations I often experience are still so romantic and chic within my own sphere. To use the tone of a journalist, it is just like when a fluttering and elegant butterfly flutters; Didn't Ann feel painfully bewildered by the phenomenon of spiritual awakening and tragic revival?This phenomenon can only be apprehended by analogy from the esoteric principles of Greek genius which have never been elucidated.There has never been an age of art that has seen so-called culture and real art so alienated and opposed to each other as it is today.Why is such an unhealthy culture so disgusted with real art?understandable; for it fears destruction at the hands of art.But the whole type of culture, in other words, the Socratic-Alexandrian culture, which has reached extremes of delicacy and fragility like our own, is not at the end of its blows!If heroes like Goethe and Schiller can't break through the magic barrier leading to the spiritual mountains of Greece, if they can only look into the distance with a courageous spirit, they can't go any further, like Goethe's Iphigenia from The desolate Taurus Mountains, sighing across the ocean, looking at their hometown in the distance; then, what can the descendants of those heroes hope for? —Unless this magic gate suddenly opens itself to them in the mysterious sound of the tragic music of rebirth, revealing another aspect hitherto untouched by all cultural efforts.

No one can attempt to weaken our confidence in the coming revival of Greek antiquity, because only with this confidence can we hope that the German spirit will be renewed through the purification of the holy fire of music.What else can we look for, in today's age of cultural decay and desolation, to evoke in us some consoling prospect of the future?In vain do we hope to find a strong root, a corner of fertile land: everywhere is dust, sand, neglect, depression!Under such circumstances, there is no better symbol of a depressed and lonely traveler than Schiller's "warrior with death and the devil" - this warrior, clad in iron armor, with shining eyes, Rough-looking, poised to face his dreadful companion, but hopeless, alone, with his hounds and steeds, he embarks on a dreadful journey.Our Schopenhauer is Schiller's warrior: he has little hope, but he still pursues the truth.You can't find a man like him.

Yet such a startling desolation of our decaying culture would suddenly be transformed by the touch of Dionysus' magic!A gust of madness sweeps away all the old, decayed, broken, and withered things, swirling them into a wave of red dust, and carrying them to the sky like a goshawk.We look around anxiously for all that has disappeared: for we see only one thing, so lush and green, so alive, so lingering, as if rising suddenly from below into golden radiance.Tragedy sits in the midst of living, bittersweet scenes, solemn and mesmerizing; she listens to a distant lament of the "mothers of all things," whose names are Wah-ne , Wille, Wehe (Fantasy, Will, Pain).Yes, my friend, believe with me in the life of Dionysus, in the rebirth of tragedy.The age of the Socratic character is over. Put on a wreath of ivy and hold a scepter in your hand. Don't be surprised if tigers and leopards lie at your feet and wag their tails and beg for mercy!Now, dare to be a tragic hero, because you will be saved!You have to follow the ranks of Dionysus believers, from India to Greece!Arm yourself and prepare for a hard fight, but trust in the miracles of your gods!