On the Genealogy of Morals Characters

Stendhal is a French writer who argues that artists want to excite, stimulate, and move their audiences with their work. Nietzsche agrees with Stendhal.

Ree is a scholar who, like Nietzsche, studies the origins of moral behavior. Ree and Nietzsche both think that morals evolve over time, but Nietzsche disagrees with Ree’s view on how morals evolve.

Napoleon was a French emperor. Nietzsche thinks that Napoleon was an anomaly in European culture because Napoleon was bold, active, and strong. This conflicts with Europe’s Christianity-based moral code that advocates being patient, kind, and passive.

Dühring is a German philosopher whom Nietzsche describes as “anti-Semitic” and “belligerent.” Nietzsche thinks that Dühring represents the vengeful, hateful undertones of European culture that Nietzsche worries about.

Parsifal is the titular protagonist of Wagner’s opera Parsifal. Parsifal is a simple country boy who shuns romantic and intellectual encounters to seek the Holy Grail. Nietzsche thinks that Parsifal is a reductive, moralizing character who exposes everything that’s wrong with the heavy religious overtones of Wagner’s late work.

Lucifer is the protagonist of Wagner’s early opera Luther’s Wedding. Nietzsche thinks that Luther is an interesting character who’s bold and courageous because he doesn’t shy away from being sensual.

Jesus was a historical Jewish religious leader who became the central figure of Christianity.

Mr. Inquisitive and Foolhardy is the imaginary persona Nietzsche uses to address the championing of weakness and nonviolence among oppressed people.

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher.

Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher.

La Rouchefoucald was a French author.

Spencer was a British sociologist.

Buckle was an English historian.

Aquinas was an Italian theologian.

Goethe was a German writer.

Hafiz was a Persian poet.