Minor Characters
Buffoon
During the tight-rope walker’s performance, the buffoon appears and chases and mocks him, causing the tight-rope walker to fall to the ground and suffer fatal injuries. The buffoon also warns Zarathustra to flee the town, because the townspeople hate him and regard him as dangerous.
Zarathustra’s Animals
In his mountain cave, Zarathustra lives with an eagle (symbolizing pride) and a serpent (symbolizing wisdom). They are sentient creatures that keep Zarathustra company, bring him food, comfort him in his solitude, and sometimes discuss his teachings with him.
The Prophet
A gloomy prophet visits Zarathustra’s cave and tempts him to have pity on the Higher Men. The prophet symbolizes Arthur Schopenhauer, a pessimistic philosopher who influenced Friedrich Nietzsche.
Two Kings
Among the group of Higher Men whom Zarathustra finds in the forest and invites into his cave, the two kings are traveling with their donkey in an attempt to escape the masses.
The Scientist
Among the group of Higher Men whom Zarathustra finds in the forest and invites into his cave, the scientist studies leeches and is so committed to his work that he almost bleeds to death in the course of his research.
The Sorcerer
Among the group of Higher Men whom Zarathustra finds in the forest and invites into his cave, the sorcerer is a wily, deceptive, self-pitying old man. He symbolizes (and satirizes) Nietzsche’s youthful friend Richard Wagner. The sorcerer briefly succeeds in tempting the rest of the Higher Men into melancholy.
The Old Pope
Among the group of Higher Men whom Zarathustra finds in the forest and invites into his cave, the old pope no longer believes in God. He explains to Zarathustra how God “died” through the decline of Christianity.
The Beggar
Among the group of Higher Men whom Zarathustra finds in the forest and invites into his cave, the beggar, symbolizing the Buddha, has retreated from ungrateful humanity in order to preach to cows instead. Zarathustra is especially fond of him.
The Shadow
Among the group of Higher Men whom Zarathustra finds in the forest and invites into his cave, the shadow is a wandering freethinker who has lost sight of his ultimate goal.