Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for All and None

Zarathustra says that he will carry an evergreen wreath of life to the island of graves. He proclaims, “Oh you visions and apparitions of my youth! Oh all you glances of love, you godlike glancing moments! How quickly you died! I remember you today like my dead” (85). Zarathustra deems his youth disloyal to him, as it fled like a fugitive one night. Because his youth was his possession and also possessed him, it had to be overcome. He says to his enemies, “You took from me what was irretrievable—thus I speak to you, my enemies! For you murdered my youth’s visions and dearest wonders! You took my playmates from me, the blessed spirits! In remembrance of them I lay down this wreath and this curse” (86). Zarathustra laments his youth. He recounts that it was through dance that he first learned to speak parables. But malice soon overtook the singer and himself. All the visions and comfort of his youth were poisoned by adulthood. Yet, despite the death of his youth, there still exists something within him that bursts forth, that is, his will. Zarathustra’s will lives on. He comments that only where there are graves are there resurrections.