# Nietzsche — Heretics character guide

> Nietzsche in Heretics by G. K. Chesterton.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Superman, Nietzsche's Superman, Nietszche

**First appearance:** 0001-heretics

## Who they are

German philosopher whose concept of the Superman is debated.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_psychological_

Nietzsche is a key philosophical influence and foil, with the narrator engaging his ideas critically.

### [Mr. Bernard Shaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/mr_bernard_shaw)

_social_

Shaw and Nietzsche are linked as thinkers who challenge traditional morality, though the narrator distinguishes their philosophies.

### [Jack the Giant-Killer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/jack_the_giant_killer)

_rivalry_

Jack and Nietzsche are juxtaposed as symbols of traditional heroism versus the Übermensch philosophy.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_psychological_

Nietzsche is a key philosophical influence and foil, with the narrator engaging his ideas critically.

## In the story

### [Mr. Bernard Shaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/chapters/iv-mr-bernard-shaw)

Mentioned as Shaw's 'new master,' whose notion that a stronger man despises other things Chesterton criticizes.

### [XIV: On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/chapters/xiv-on-certain-modern-writers-and-the-institution-of-the-family)

Chesterton criticizes Nietzsche's aristocracy as one of 'weak nerves,' lacking humor and imagination.

### [XV: On Smart Novelists and the Smart Set](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/chapters/xv-on-smart-novelists-and-the-smart-set)

Mentioned as a philosopher who, like Bow Bells novelettes, worships the strong man, but Nietzsche attributes scorn for weakness, which the narrator considers a sign of invalidism.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters/nietzsche
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/heretics_se/characters