“Thus spoke Zarathustra”: themes, landscapes, mythological and metaphorical images and figures of Nietzsche's book and its influence on the 20th century literary movements.
Course Content
The course offers an introduction to the literary masterpiece by one of the most influential thinker of the late nineteenth century. We will discuss and examine Zarathustra’s central concepts and key questions with special attention to text and context, also with reference to Nietsche’s biographical, historical, cultural and literary background.
Così parlò Zarathustra. Un libro per tutti e per nessuno, Adelphi, Milano 1976
ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA. Mit Zeittafel, Anmerkungen, Bibliographie von Peter Pütz, Goldmann, München, 1999.
Mazzino Montinari, Che cosa ha detto Nietzsche (1975), Collana: Piccola biblioteca Adelphi
Learning Objectives
Aim of the course ist to enable students to read and interpret a fundamental text of the German culture with appropriate critical methodology, and to provide essential knowledge of text and context (the cultural and literary background) and of the main themes concerning German culture, philosophy and literature. Discussion will also be encouraged during the course.
Prerequisites
Students should have a good Knowledge of the german language.
Teaching Methods
By means of a close reading of selected chapters and passages we shall examine themes, figures, motif sequences and parodic stile, textual structure, sources, symbolic significations, metaphoric correlaths, interrelatedness of philosophical thinking and poetic vision.
Further information
Attendance is required for at least 2/3rds of the course. No specific exams for non-attending students, except for part-time students (who must contact the professor at the beginning of the course in order to agree upon a specific program).
Type of Assessment
Testing will be by oral examination in italian, which will be held at the end of the course.
Course program
The course offers an introduction to the literary masterpiece by one of the most influential thinker of the late nineteenth century. We will discuss and examine Zarathustra’s central concepts and key questions with special attention to text and context, also with reference to Nietsche’s biographical, historical, cultural and literary background.
By means of a close reading of selected chapters and passages we shall examine themes, figures, motif sequences and parodic stile, textual structure, sources, symbolic significations, metaphoric correlaths, interrelatedness of philosophical thinking and poetic vision.