Thus Spoke Zarathustra · Chapter
LXXX: The Sign explained
Zarathustra awakens at dawn, feeling that the higher men are not his true companions.
What happens
Zarathustra awakens at dawn, feeling that the higher men are not his true companions. He is visited by a flock of doves and a lion, which he interprets as a sign that his children are near. The higher men flee in terror at the lion's roar. Zarathustra reflects on the soothsayer's prophecy and recognizes that his last sin was fellow-suffering with the higher men. He declares his time has come and leaves his cave, strong and glowing like the morning sun.
Themes in this chapter
The Übermensch and Self-Overcoming
Zarathustra overcomes his fellow-suffering for the higher men, recognizing it as his last sin, and turns toward his own work.
Solitude and Companionship
Zarathustra feels the higher men are not his proper companions; the doves and lion are the true signs of his children's approach.
Characters to notice
- Zarathustra
Awakens at dawn, interprets the doves and lion as a sign, overcomes his fellow-suffering, and prepares for his work.
- The Higher Men
Still sleeping in Zarathustra's cave; they awaken and flee in terror when the lion roars.
- The Soothsayer
Recalled by Zarathustra as having foretold the great cry of distress and tempted him to his last sin.
Key passages
“My suffering and my fellow-suffering—what matter about them! Do I then strive after happiness ? I strive after my work !”
My own pain and my pity for others are irrelevant; I am not seeking happiness, but my purpose.
Zarathustra rejects pity and reaffirms his commitment to his creative mission.
“This is my morning, my day beginneth: arise now, arise, thou great noontide!”
Now is my time of fulfillment; let the peak of my life begin.
Zarathustra declares the arrival of his destined moment, the 'great noontide' of his work.