Beyond Good and Evil · Character

Epicurus

Ancient Greek philosopher referenced for his views on pleasure and the gods.

minor

Also known as Epicurus

First appearance: I: Prejudices of Philosophers

Epicurus's tie to Plato is one of the pressures that moves Beyond Good and Evil—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mocked Plato and the Platonists as 'Dionysiokolakes' (flatterers of Dionysius/actors), revealing Nietzsche's theme of philosophers' hidden motives and theatricality.

In the storyI: Prejudices of PhilosophersOpen this moment free

See Epicurus in I: Prejudices of Philosophers Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Plato (rivalry): They are presented as opposing philosophical types, with Epicurus often favored for his subtlety against Plato's…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Epicurus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Epicurus in I: Prejudices of Philosophers

Character Web

2 connections

A slice of how Epicurus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Ancient Greek Thinkers
Protagonist

Explore ties, sentiment, and clusters while you read

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The passage reveals the Wanderer's ultimate psychological exhaustion with seeking truth, climaxing in his desp…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Plato
rivalry · negative
They are presented as opposing philosophical types, with Epicurus often favored for his… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Epicurus in I: Prejudices of Philosophers

In the story

Epicurus appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: Prejudices of Philosophers
Mocked Plato and the Platonists as 'Dionysiokolakes' (flatterers of Dionysius/actors), revealing Nietzsche's theme of philosophers' hidden motives and theatricality.
7
Portrayed as malicious and envious; his joke ('Dionysiokolakes') attacks Plato's theatricality. He is the 'old schoolteacher of Samos' who wrote prolifically, possibly from 'rage and ambitious envy.'
III: The Religious Mood
Referenced as the type of 'god' whose derisive, impartial eye would find the comedy of European Christianity a source of marvel and laughter.
The Philosopher's Use of Religion
His philosophy is referenced as a parallel to how religion operates on higher sufferers, refining and making suffering acceptable.
The Cost of Religions as Final Ends
Invoked as the perspective of a derisive, impartial god observing the 'comedy of European Christianity.'
The Man of Late Culture
His philosophy is cited as an example of a 'soothing medicine' sought by the weak type longing for repose from internal conflict.
The Sufferer's Pride and the Sanctity of the Mask
Epicurism is presented as a refined form of disguise, a bold taste that takes suffering lightly to defend against the sorrowful and profound.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Epicurus unlock in the free preview.

See Epicurus in I: Prejudices of Philosophers