# VI explained — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

> Chapter companion for Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

The rope dancer performs in the marketplace but is fatally tripped by a buffoon. Zarathustra remains beside the dying man, denies the existence of devil and hell, and promises to bury him with his own hands.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death of God and Revaluation of Values

Zarathustra's denial of devil and hell to the dying man challenges traditional religious beliefs and affirms a this-worldly perspective.

### Pity and Contempt

Zarathustra shows pity by kneeling and comforting the dying rope dancer, yet also honors his dangerous calling without contempt.

## Character check-ins

### Zarathustra

Remains standing as the crowd flees; kneels beside the dying rope dancer, denies devil and hell, and offers to bury him.

### The Superman

Implied as the 'better one' the buffoon claims the rope dancer blocks; the rope dancer's fall contrasts with the Übermensch ideal.

## Key lines

> On mine honour, my friend, there is nothing of all that whereof thou speakest: there is no devil and no hell. Thy soul will be dead even sooner than thy body: fear, therefore, nothing any more!

I swear to you, there is no devil or hell. Your soul will die before your body, so you have nothing to fear.

_Zarathustra rejects traditional afterlife punishments, affirming a mortalist view._

> Thou hast made danger thy calling; therein there is nothing contemptible. Now thou perishest by thy calling: therefore will I bury thee with mine own hands.

You chose a life of risk, which is honorable. Since you die by that choice, I will personally bury you.

_Zarathustra honors the rope dancer's commitment to his perilous vocation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters