The OFFICIAL blog for Whitaker's English 1102 class, Spring 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Something lighthearted....
Let us not forget that Nietzsche died insane and syphilitic. So enjoy the reading! If it gets too intense, check this out for a change of pace. It's not as much fun as the LOLCats or dogs, it is, at least, topical.
Well this is my first time every reading any of Nietzsche work but he is very deep and interesting. He looks at things in a very different light so different it's scary
just for some inside facts on syphilis. it is a sexually transmitted disease that is very treatable with penicillin but of course penicillin hadn't been discovered yet. when syphilis isn't treated it makes it way into the brain causing the person to "go crazy" usually in the form of Schizophrenia or other mental diseases. i'm assuming when he wrote this the side effects of the syphilis hadn't kicked in yet.
Nietzsche work is quite different might i say; compared to other readings I've read. For me, with a little help from sparknotes, I think I will be well on my way to actually enjoy his work of art. -Ymonee
Megan: You're right, he was quite young (33)when he wrote TBOT, so the Syphilis had not gotten to him yet. He wasn't terribly fond of it when he got older. In the middle of his career he had repudiated both Richard Wagner and Schopenhauer, both of whom are central to TBOT.
Incidentally, the diagnosis of Syphilis is somewhat speculative. Most *think* he had it, but there is little proof. The wikipedia entry is actually quite good for an overview of Nietzsche and his changing philosophy.
Continue reading The Secret History, paying special attention to the section that we went over in class. Also, re-read the section where the group takes Richard to the country house.
Due dates for the rest of the semester are posted below.
In the links section below, I've placed a link to our class page at the library.
For future reference..... In the event that I must cancel class, I'll do my best do notify you the night before. If not, I'll do it very early on the morning of class. In either circumstance, I'll notify you by email. Be sure to check your GSU email first thing in the morning, especially if you commute from the Hinterlands.
On Deck: The weeks ahead
Wednesday: E-mail at least one annotated bibliography entry to me by 8:00 PM
Thursday:Discussion of annotated bibliography entries in class.
April 14: Papers on The Secret History due (9:30 class)
April 16: Papers on The Secret History due (11:00 class)
April 23: Last day of class. Annotated Bibliographies with 1-2 page introductions due (both classes).
I Love me some caturday madness.
ReplyDeleteIf I saw the truth the way Nietzsche did I'd go crazy too.
ReplyDeleteGot existential nausea?
i can has tragedy?
ReplyDeleteFrom what I heard he sounds pretty insane to me...
ReplyDeleteWell this is my first time every reading any of Nietzsche work but he is very deep and interesting. He looks at things in a very different light so different it's scary
ReplyDeletejust for some inside facts on syphilis. it is a sexually transmitted disease that is very treatable with penicillin but of course penicillin hadn't been discovered yet. when syphilis isn't treated it makes it way into the brain causing the person to "go crazy" usually in the form of Schizophrenia or other mental diseases.
ReplyDeletei'm assuming when he wrote this the side effects of the syphilis hadn't kicked in yet.
Nietzsche work is quite different might i say; compared to other readings I've read. For me, with a little help from sparknotes, I think I will be well on my way to actually enjoy his work of art.
ReplyDelete-Ymonee
Megan: You're right, he was quite young (33)when he wrote TBOT, so the Syphilis had not gotten to him yet. He wasn't terribly fond of it when he got older. In the middle of his career he had repudiated both Richard Wagner and Schopenhauer, both of whom are central to TBOT.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, the diagnosis of Syphilis is somewhat speculative. Most *think* he had it, but there is little proof. The wikipedia entry is actually quite good for an overview of Nietzsche and his changing philosophy.
http://www.losanjealous.com/nfc/perm.php?c=31&q=204
ReplyDeletemy favorite one.