All things considered, I could never have survived my youth without Wagnerian music. For I seemed condemned to the society of Germans. If a man wishes to rid himself of a feeling of unbearable oppression, he may have to take to hashish. Well, I had to take to Wagner...
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Nietzsche claims that Wagner’s music saved him from feeling oppressed, likening it to a drug that alleviates suffering.
- In plain terms
- Music helped him escape a sense of oppression.
- What can you take from it?
- Art can be a powerful antidote to existential pressure.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can art replace other forms of support?
- What limits does artistic escape have?
Another view
Relying on art alone may not address underlying social or psychological issues.
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