The Pathos of Bathos [Nietzsche]
Could Nietzsche’s use of the literary exclamation reference a perspective of absurdity?
Could he denote, with exclamation, that a particular idea should not be linked to cultural context? That an idea is so funny, so exciting - precisely because it exists prior to our conception of it?
The availability of an idea to be found, in itself, is absurd. Of course, life is an abundance of absurdity; we no longer need to turn to Sartre for insight. The absurd experience has become a dominating element of contemporary humor. I mean, it’s easily found in pop-culture spanning Monty Python and Family Guy.
So, let’s wonder: What is a joke? The constituting punch line? A context is built, we expect a constant - we receive a varient. It surprises.
A joke surprises, and Absurdity surprises. They seem to share this is common. An Exclamation point is used to exclaim; to exclaim is to “cry out suddenly, especially in surprise, anger, or pain.” (Taken from my computer dictionary). Further, it comes from the french “Exclamer”: Clamer = ‘To Shout’, oriented from the position of the root “Ex” = ‘Out’. We exclaim our surprise at the absurd, and the absurd, by necessity, is something that “stands out”.
Something stands out when it doesn’t fit. Why doesn’t it fit? Because it is different than what is expected. As creative, complex beings we are all aware of this sentiment! Things happen! Beyond the limit of control! And as cultural beings, we document these experiences. But how do we reference that point from which somethings stands out to us as absurd, and why would this be an important reference to acknowledge?
If Nietzsche is using an ‘!’ to denote something as personally exciting, then I will share his excitement biographically.
But if Nietzsche is using ‘!’ to note; reference; ‘scare’ us into a position - LOOK! this is something ELSE! I dont KNOW about it at ALL! LOOK!!! This is something INTERESTING, to objects of NATURAL BEING! There is no requirement of cultural context!
