Tragedy of Existence in Nietzsche and Heidegger

Abstract

This study aims to compare Nietszche’s and Heidegger’s interpretations of tragedy in the context of tragedy of existence. Both of them, seperating from the critic of traditional philosophy with their interpretation of tragedy, explore that existence is a tragic thing. Nietszche, discussing his theory originating from deaths and birth of tragedy on the Apollonic and Dionyssian, gives a metaphysical meaning to mythic figures for describing tragedy of being. These meanings makes it possible to interpret “eternal recurrence” and “superman” (übermensch) basic concepts with tragedical figures. Heidegger criticizes Nietsche’s tragedy interpretations regarding its physichological base as being an articulating to traditional metaphysics. For him, tragedy shouldn’t be understood with theorising physicological essence but a original mutuality which can explain the tragedy of being. According to Heidegger the original mutuality appearing at the tragic relation between Being and Dasein shows itself in tragedy. Hence, for Heidegger, tragedy is an opportunity to hear the sound of Being. In compare with Nietsche, Heidegger is closed to the paradoxal nature of tragedy with his interpretation of engagement of being and tragedy of being.