On the plane ride home, I finally drudged my way to the end of Nietzsche's manifesto, Thus Spake Zarathustra. What a drag. For those who are interested in exploring Nietzsche, do NOT choose this book for your first foray. Much of what he said is entirely against my most core beliefs, but on a more basic level, I simply could not understand what he was going on about a lot of the time. I don't think I've ever read a book that irritated me more, except Voltaire's Candide. (Weird how both these books I read for musical purposes...Bernstein and Strauss.) I couldn't even bring myself to finish it, I was so annoyed...promptly gave it to a friend who's far more cynical and tolerant of endless sarcasm. She enjoyed it very much.
All this being said, there were a few passages in the Nietzsche that I enjoyed enough to dog-ear and share, so here they are:
It is true we love life; not because we are wont to live, but because we are wont to love.
There is always some madness in love. But there is always, also, some method in madness.
Marriage: so call I the will of the twain to create the one that is more than those who created it.
His soul become impatient and full of longing for those whom he loved: because he had still much to give them. For this is the hardest of all: to close the open hand out of love, and keep modest as a giver.
Will--so is the emancipator and joy-bringer called: thus have I taught you, my friends! But now learn this likewise: the Will itself is still a prisoner. Willing emancipateth: but what is that called which still putteth the emancipator in chains?...that it cannot break time and time's desire--that is the Will's lonesomest tribulation.
Free will and its limits...which brings me to Shakespeare, and my favorite moment in Macbeth:
(as he's facing his imminent and inevitable death, realizing that he has no control over his destiny)
I will not yield, to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet...though opposed, Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my war lie shield. Lay on, Macduff, and damn'd be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!" -Macbeth
One of the incredible feats Shakespeare accomplishes is creating characters that captivate their audience, pulling readers along as if by hypnosis, despite how despicable the character may be. We know Macbeth is no saint...he kills people, tricks people, is unmoved by his wife's death...nevertheless, in his last moments as he picks up his sword and vows not to yield even in the face of his destiny (which he finally acknowledges), there's this strange triumph that stirs in my gut and enthusiastic internal cheering (GO MACBETH!). It's as if Shakespeare is telling us, yes, free will may only exist within the confines of fate, like a tiny inaccessible window in the prison of a pre-written destiny...but these futile fighters of fate are nobler than those who submit.
(Whether I agree with this is a whole different matter.)
