Thus Spoke Zarathustra · Chapter
LXXVII: The Awakening explained
Zarathustra observes the higher men in his cave, now noisy and laughing, and feels a mix of aversion and joy at their apparent convalescence.
What happens
Zarathustra observes the higher men in his cave, now noisy and laughing, and feels a mix of aversion and joy at their apparent convalescence. He steps outside to speak with his animals, celebrating the defeat of the 'spirit of gravity' and the newfound thankfulness of his guests. Suddenly, the cave falls silent, and Zarathustra discovers the higher men—including the two kings, the pope out of service, the magician, the voluntary beggar, the wanderer and shadow, the soothsayer, the conscientious in spirit, and the ugliest man—kneeling and worshipping an ass, reciting a litany praising its patience, silence, and affirmation.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Herd Morality
The higher men's collective worship of the ass illustrates their regression into uncritical, herd-like piety, which Zarathustra observes with scorn.
Death of God and Revaluation of Values
The mock worship of the ass represents a revaluation where a lowly animal is deified, highlighting the absurdity of creating new idols after the death of God.
Pity and Contempt
Zarathustra feels a mix of aversion and joy toward the higher men, pitying their convalescence yet holding contempt for their foolishness.
Characters to notice
- Zarathustra
Observes the higher men's noisy convalescence and later their absurd worship of the ass, feeling both victory and astonishment.
- The Higher Men
The assembled guests, including kings, the pope, magician, beggar, wanderer, shadow, soothsayer, conscientious one, and ugliest man, engage in laughter and then in a pious litany before the ass.
- The Ass
Worshipped by the higher men, it responds with braying 'Ye-a' to each line of their litany, symbolizing uncritical affirmation.
- The Ugliest Man
Leads the litany in praise of the ass, gurgling and snorting before finding words.
- The Pope Out of Service
Among the higher men kneeling and worshipping the ass, participating in the mock-religious ceremony.
- The Magician
Present among the worshippers, part of the group that has become 'pious again.'
Key passages
“They are merry... and if they have learned of me to laugh, still it is not my laughter they have learned.”
The higher men laugh, but their laughter lacks the depth of Zarathustra's own joyful wisdom.
Zarathustra distinguishes his own transformative laughter from the superficial mirth of his guests.
“They have all of them become pious again, they pray, they are mad!”
Zarathustra is shocked to find the higher men kneeling in prayer, reverting to religious behavior.
This moment underscores the irony of the higher men's regression into the very piety Zarathustra opposes.
“He carrieth our burdens, he hath taken upon him the form of a servant, he is patient of heart and never saith Nay; and he who loveth his God chastiseth him.”
The litany praises the ass for its servitude and silent acceptance, equating it with a divine figure.
The parody mocks Christian virtues of humility and patience, attributing them to a stubborn animal.