Interpretation of women in Friedrich Nietzsche’s The Gay Science

Abstract

In this article, we analyze, through a selection of aphorisms from Friedrich Nietzsche's work 'The Gay Science,' how criticism of ideals can be valuable in contemplating gender relations, particularly concerning the concept of 'woman.' We aim to explore references used by the philosopher regarding women, the feminine, the artistic, the masculine, and the virtues attributed to women as deficiencies in men. Consequently, we will seek to demonstrate that, from Nietzsche's perspective, everything traditionally prescribed for women, including the ideals of womanhood, stems from the construction of values perpetuated by male dominance. This offers an alternative interpretation of Nietzsche's work that goes beyond the apparent criticism of women and aligns with contemporary feminism.