Book Review: The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche

The Birth of Tragedy Out of the Spirit of Music by Friedrich Nietzsche, translated by Shaun Whiteside, and edited by Michael Tanner

In Nietzsche's first book, he presents the difference between Dionysian and Apolline art (mostly music) as it arose in the ancient Greeks. Dionysiac music is more mythic and visceral, resulting in or inspiring art and plays that grapple with universal themes and the heart of reality. Apolline music is more individual and logical, resulting in more moralistic and rationalist works that stay on the surface of things. Nietzsche clearly favors the first which he claimed gave birth to proper tragedy. Tragedy needs both the Apolline and the Dionysiac elements, but the Apolline became more influential. As Greek culture (and philosophy) developed, its art declined. At the end of the book, Nietzsche discusses German music and tragedy and how it must follow the right route in order to be as great as it can be, i.e. as great as the best of the ancient Greek tradition. The book is dedicated to Richard Wagner, whom Nietzsche saw as emblematic of the ideal blend of the two sorts of music.

The book caused a lot of discussion, often heated, when it was first published. Nietzsche's distinctions were new and unwelcome in academia, as well as his idea that the Greeks struggled with a pessimistic worldview in their best tragedies. Nowadays, we look at everyone in the past as having flaws and challenges, so the controversy is less visceral. The book's arguments are loosely arranged and not very convincing, making it both difficult to read and to appreciate, let alone to agree with it. I found the text interesting but only in a academic sense.

Not recommended, though I will probably try some of Nietzsche's later works to see if they are better (or at least get them off my "shelf of the unread").