Lord of the Rings and Nietzsche

1.)
Frodo Baggins- Most definitely the easiest character to choose, Frodo clearly exemplifies someone in the Ubermensch. To start, Frodo accepts the Ring from Bilbo well knowing the dangers it possess. Frodo was not afraid to take a risk and help his friend. Also, later on, after the Elves save him from a stab wound Frodo volunteers to take the Ring to Mt. Doom to destroy it. Not only is he risking his life, but he is basically ensured death on this mission. A person in the Ubermensch has to rise above the ideals of everyone else and create new values. Frodo does this by putting the lives of thousands of others before himself by creating the fellowship. Lastly, Frodo shows he is in this stage by going alone to continue the journey. When he realizes the power will draw everybody around him to evil, he ventures off alone to complete the mission.

Frodo & Aragorn

Aragorn- Not as obvious but undoubtedly a character in the Ubermensch, Aragorn repeatedly puts himself in the line of fire for the well being of the group. The unoffcial leader of the fellowship, Aragorn is the most trained and most physically able to defend others out of everyone. For instance, he saves Frodo and Sam from being killed by the 9 Riders. Additionally, at the conclusion of the movie, he convinces Frodo to leave and continue by himself. This shows he understands that he would be much safer without them and that he is above the common idea of others.

The creature Gollum

2.) This post is much harder but I'd have to say that Saruman and Gollum are two characters that aren't in the Ubermensch. These two characters do not rise above rather they conform to popular belief and are sucked into an unrewarding lifestyle. Saruman betrays Gandalf because he lost hope in everyone else and figures the only way to stay alive is to join the evil ranks. Gollum on the other hand, is addicted to the power of the Ring and follows it around everywhere. He is dependent on the Ring and cannot break free from the hold it has on him. Therefore, he is not in the Ubermensch because he totally relies on the Rings power.

Saruman using the power of the Ring

Nietzsche's Camel, Lion, and Child

     The camel in this case represents the most difficult time in the metamorphosis of the spirit. Like the reading states the spirit, "kneels down like a camel to be well loaded." This basically means the spirit is being refreshed and ready to change, similar to a camel after drinking water. Once this happens the lion is present. The lion is the symbol of action and courageousness to change, "who would conquer his freedom and master his own desert." The lion must fight the dragon in this stage and prove his worthiness to change. The dragon represents all the values that have been created and is unwilling to allow the lion to create his own. The lion must fight the dragon to ensure freedom so that others like him won't be under the dragons rule. Finally, the child is needed because it has innocence and forgetting that can allow for a new beginning. This allows the spirit to have control over his own will and the ability "to conquer the world".

The lion and dragon fighting