Posted by
aeschylus on Friday, October 26, 2007 5:45:06 PM
Frederick Nietzsche's first book was The Birth of Tragedy. He pointed out the origin of Greek tragedy as an outgrowth of the chorus, where the soloist added recitations, and finally drama. He also noted the time was important because of the Greek wars with Persia. The people needed an emotional release from their fears and worries, and the tragedy provided it. Aeschylus, whom Nietzsche called the father of Greek tragedy, provided this emotional release, or catharsis, most effectively. Nietzsche said that Aeschylus combined the Dionysian with the Apollonian. Dionysus was the Greek god of wine, while Apollo was the god of the sun, amongst other things. As the sun governs the day, so Apollo stood for proper authority, which is in contrast to the drunken revelings of Dionysus. Thus, the combination of the Dionysian with the Apollonian referred to rebellious music accompanying patriotic lyrics. Nietzsche went on the say that the German opera composer Richard Wagner was the modern day Aeschylus because he provided for the German opera fan what Aeschylus gave the Greeks. Nietzsche even insisted the Germans needed a catharsis because of wars on every side. That having been said, I have named my blog THE RE-BIRTH OF TRAGEDY because I, too, will give you patriotic words, even though my expression might not be conventional. At least, it won't be boring. You can call me the post-modern Aeschylus. Well, enough for a first post. I look forward to entertaining you, exciting you, and maybe even enlightening you, as I wish you may enlighten me with your feedback.