Book two

sections 76–85

pp. 91-97

in: Monika Langer, Nietzsche's Gay science, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010

Abstract

Nietzsche indicated various dangers threaten to upset alleged reality, jolting (male) dreamers out of their dream. He cautioned men to recognize the deceptiveness and danger of women's allure. Now he focuses on humans in general. Nietzsche points out our greatest peril and emphasizes the importance of seeing ourselves in perspective. He therefore considers the art of masquerading, the "historical sense", and the assessment of happiness. In section seventy-five he claimed "an old dancing master" said small women are not even women and Aristotle said small women cannot be beautiful. Undoubtedly realizing his readers would find such views irrational, Nietzsche considers the significance of rationality and the danger of irrationality in section seventy-six.