How Did Nietzsche Meaning Impact 20th-Century Literature?

Nietzsche’s philosophy is like a grenade tossed into the cozy living room of existentialism—exploding the idea that life has inherent meaning. I’ve spent years wrestling with his texts, and what strikes me is how he doesn’t just *contribute* to existentialism; he *redefines* it. For Nietzsche, the 'death of God' isn’t a tragedy but an invitation. Without divine purpose, humans aren’t lost—we’re free to create our own values. His concept of the Übermensch isn’t some superhero fantasy; it’s a call to embrace chaos and sculpt meaning from it. Unlike Sartre’s angst or Camus’s absurdism, Nietzsche’s existentialism is raw, almost euphoric in its defiance. What’s wild is how his ideas about power and will shape later existential thought. When he says 'become who you are,' it’s not self-help fluff—it’s a demand to confront your deepest drives. Existentialists after him, like Heidegger, borrowed this focus on authenticity, but Nietzsche’s version is messier, more theatrical. His rejection of herd morality echoes in existentialism’s obsession with individualism. Yet, he’s also a critic of nihilism, which existentialism often flirts with. His 'eternal recurrence' thought experiment—asking if you’d relive your life endlessly—is existentialism’s ultimate litmus test: Do you love your existence enough to will its repetition?

Nietzsche's take on morality hits like a sledgehammer to traditional values. He doesn’t just question morality—he flips it upside down, exposing it as a human invention rather than some divine truth. Reading 'Beyond Good and Evil' feels like peeling back layers of societal conditioning. Master morality versus slave morality is where it gets spicy. The strong create values that celebrate power, pride, and individuality, while the weak craft morality as revenge, labeling strength as 'evil' and their own meekness as 'good.' It’s a psychological power play, and Nietzsche calls it out with brutal clarity. What’s wild is how he ties morality to resentment. Christian morality, in particular, gets dissected as a tool for the powerless to guilt-trip the powerful. The whole 'turn the other cheek' thing? Nietzsche sees it as a sneaky way to demonize natural instincts. His idea of the 'will to power' suggests that life’s driving force isn’t survival or happiness but domination and expansion. Morality, in his view, often stifles this—chain people with guilt, and you control them. His critique isn’t just philosophy; it’s a rebellion against everything society holds sacred.

Nietzsche’s philosophy is often seen as a cornerstone of existentialism, though he never labeled himself as one. His ideas about the death of God, the will to power, and the Ubermensch resonate deeply with existentialist themes. Nietzsche argued that traditional moral values and religious beliefs no longer hold meaning in a modern world, forcing individuals to create their own purpose. This aligns with existentialism’s focus on personal freedom and the absurdity of life without inherent meaning. His concept of the Ubermensch, or 'overman,' embodies the idea of self-creation, where one transcends societal norms to define their own values. This mirrors existentialist thinkers like Sartre, who emphasized that existence precedes essence, meaning we must forge our own path. Nietzsche’s critique of nihilism also ties into existentialism. He saw nihilism as a danger but also a necessary stage before rebirth. Existentialists similarly grapple with the void of meaning but advocate for embracing it to live authentically. Camus, for instance, explored the absurd in 'The Myth of Sisyphus,' where he argued that despite life’s lack of inherent meaning, we must find joy in the struggle. Nietzsche’s emphasis on individual strength and creativity parallels this, as both philosophies reject passive despair in favor of active engagement with life. His influence is undeniable in shaping existentialism’s rebellious, life-affirming spirit.

Nietzsche's 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' feels like a philosophical lightning bolt to me—it’s electrifying and chaotic, yet oddly precise. The book isn’t just about ideas; it’s a performance, a prophet’s sermon that dances between poetry and madness. Zarathustra’s journey mirrors Nietzsche’s own rebellion against traditional morality, especially Christianity’s 'slave morality.' The Übermensch concept isn’t about superiority in a brute sense; it’s about creating your own values, like an artist shaping clay. The death of God isn’t just a statement—it’s a challenge. Without divine rules, humans must confront the terrifying freedom of defining good and evil themselves. What grips me most is the eternal recurrence. Imagine living the same life endlessly, not as a punishment, but as a test of amor fati—love of fate. It’s Nietzsche’s way of asking: 'Are you living a life you’d willingly repeat?' Zarathustra’s solitude and his failed attempts to teach others highlight the loneliness of radical thought. The book’s style—aphorisms, parables, and contradictions—reflects Nietzsche’s belief that truth isn’t monolithic. It’s messy, like life itself. Critics call it pretentious, but I see it as a mirror. It doesn’t give answers; it forces you to ask better questions.

Nietzsche’s impact on modern philosophy feels like a seismic wave that never really settled. His ideas about the 'death of God' and the Übermensch shattered traditional moral frameworks, forcing us to rethink everything from ethics to existential purpose. I’ve always been struck by how his critique of herd mentality resonates in today’s social media age—people still cling to collective values while pretending to be individualists. His concept of eternal recurrence, too, is weirdly comforting in its brutality: what if you had to relive your life endlessly? It’s a gut check for authenticity. What’s wild is how Nietzsche’s skepticism of absolute truth paved the way for postmodernism. Thinkers like Foucault and Derrida ran with his distrust of grand narratives, dissecting power structures and language like surgeons. But Nietzsche wasn’t just a destroyer; his focus on self-overflowing creativity influenced everything from psychology (hello, Jung) to avant-garde art. The way he embraced chaos as fertile ground feels especially relevant now, when the world’s so unpredictable. His fingerprints are everywhere, even if people don’t always credit him. Yet, his legacy’s messy. Some twist his will-to-power into toxic individualism, while others cherry-pick his aphorisms to sound deep. But that’s Nietzsche—provocative, contradictory, impossible to pin down. Modern philosophy keeps circling back to him because he asked the questions we’re still scrambling to answer.

Exploring Nietzsche's philosophy through film is a fascinating challenge, and few movies manage to capture the depth and complexity of his ideas accurately. One film that stands out is 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra', directed by Hans-Jürgen Syberberg. This adaptation of Nietzsche's seminal work is visually striking and attempts to translate his philosophical concepts into a cinematic experience. Syberberg's approach is highly experimental, blending theater, opera, and film to create a surreal yet thought-provoking portrayal of Nietzsche's ideas about the Übermensch, eternal recurrence, and the death of God. The film doesn't just recite Nietzsche's words; it immerses the viewer in the emotional and intellectual turbulence of his philosophy. It's not an easy watch, but for those willing to engage deeply, it offers a rare glimpse into Nietzsche's world. Another noteworthy mention is 'The Turin Horse' by Béla Tarr, which indirectly explores Nietzsche's themes of nihilism and existential despair. The film opens with the anecdote of Nietzsche collapsing in Turin after witnessing a horse being whipped, an event that marked his descent into madness. While the movie doesn't directly quote Nietzsche, its bleak, repetitive narrative and minimalist style evoke the philosopher's ideas about the futility of human struggle and the absence of inherent meaning. The slow, deliberate pacing forces the audience to confront the same existential questions Nietzsche grappled with, making it a powerful, albeit indirect, exploration of his philosophy. For a more accessible take, 'Waking Life' by Richard Linklater includes a segment where a character discusses Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence. The animated style and conversational tone make the philosophy more digestible, though it simplifies some of Nietzsche's more nuanced ideas. The film's broader exploration of dreams, reality, and existentialism aligns well with Nietzsche's emphasis on creating one's own meaning in an indifferent universe. While not a thorough examination, it serves as a good entry point for those new to his work. Lastly, 'The Seventh Seal' by Ingmar Bergman, while not explicitly about Nietzsche, resonates with his themes. The film's protagonist, a knight playing chess with Death, embodies Nietzsche's struggle with faith, mortality, and the search for meaning. Bergman's existential questioning mirrors Nietzsche's own, making the film a compelling companion to his philosophy. The stark imagery and profound dialogue create a meditative experience that aligns with Nietzsche's call to embrace life's challenges without relying on transcendent truths. These films, each in their own way, offer valuable insights into Nietzsche's enduring relevance.

let me tell you, there's some mind-blowing stuff out there. 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' is practically a masterclass in existential dread and the will to power. Shinji's struggles with identity and meaning echo Nietzsche's ideas about self-overcoming and the death of God. The series doesn't just name-drop philosophy—it bleeds it, especially in the later episodes where characters grapple with the emptiness of existence. The Human Instrumentality Project feels like a twisted take on the Ubermensch, pushing humanity toward a collective evolution that's as terrifying as it is fascinating. Then there's 'Berserk,' which takes Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence and drenches it in blood and tragedy. Guts' relentless pursuit of purpose despite a world that seems fundamentally hostile mirrors the idea of amor fati—loving one's fate, no matter how brutal. The God Hand's manipulation of human destiny is a dark reflection of Nietzsche's critique of morality and power structures. Even Griffith's ascension to godhood feels like a perversion of the Ubermensch ideal, showing how easily greatness can tip into monstrosity. Less obvious but equally compelling is 'Psycho-Pass,' where society's reliance on the Sibyl System explores Nietzsche's warnings about herd mentality and the dangers of outsourcing morality. The way characters like Kogami reject the system's 'justice' embodies the individual's struggle against societal constructs. It's not just about cool action scenes; it's a full-on interrogation of what happens when humanity surrenders its capacity for judgment.

one that stands out is 'The Partially Examined Life'. Their episodes on Nietzsche don't just skim the surface—they tear into concepts like the 'Übermensch' and 'will to power' with a mix of academic rigor and relatable banter. The hosts debate his ideas like friends at a coffee shop, but with enough depth to make you pause your playback to think. Another gem is 'Philosophize This!', which breaks down Nietzsche's work chronologically, showing how his thoughts evolved from 'The Birth of Tragedy' to his later, more radical works. It's like watching a storm build in slow motion. For a darker, more visceral take, 'Acid Horizon' discusses Nietzsche through a modern critical lens, linking his ideas to contemporary issues like mental health and political power. Their episode on 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' feels less like a lecture and more like a fever dream—in the best way. If you prefer narrative storytelling, 'The Nietzsche Podcast' weaves his biography with his philosophy, making it clear how his personal struggles shaped his worldview. Hearing about his loneliness and illness adds a raw, human layer to the often-misunderstood philosopher.