# Luther — The Genealogy of Morals character guide

> Luther in The Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Luther Comedy

**First appearance:** 0011-first-essay

## Who they are

Reformer whose rebellion against priestly authority is discussed in the context of ressentiment.

## Relationships

### [the Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/the_germans)

_psychological_

Luther's Reformation is seen by Nietzsche as a rebellion of the German spirit that ultimately reinforced Christian slave morality.

### [Richard Wagner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/richard_wagner)

_social_

Both Luther and Wagner are German cultural figures who, in Nietzsche's view, contributed to the triumph of decadent Christian values.

### [the German](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/the_german)

_psychological_

Luther's emphasis on faith over works is a key source of the German tendency toward inner guilt and self-laceration.

### [the Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/the_germans)

_psychological_

Luther's Reformation is seen by Nietzsche as a rebellion of the German spirit that ultimately reinforced Christian slave morality.

## In the story

### [Chapter 7: Cruelty, Suffering, and the Theatricality of Existence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/7)

Mentioned alongside Calvin as an example of the Christian conception of gods as friends of cruelty.

### [Chapter 2: The Ascetic Ideal and Richard Wagner's Transformation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/2)

Cited for his courage of sensuality ('evangelistic freedom') and as a figure who could have inspired a 'Luther Comedy' celebrating the harmony of chastity and sensuality.

### [Chapter 9: The Ascetic Ideal and the Birth of Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/9)

Mentioned as calling Reason 'Frau Klüglin, the sly whore,' illustrating the historical tension between reason and morality.

### [The Guilty Methods of the Ascetic Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/19)

Mentioned in the context of a hypothetical true biography by a psychologist, contrasting with the harmless accounts of Janssen.

### [The Ascetic Ideal and the Exploitation of Guilt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/20)

Referenced for his phrase 'greuliche thier' (gruesome beast) to describe the evil conscience.

### [Chapter 22: The Ascetic Priest and the Corruption of Taste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/22)

Depicted as an insolent peasant who insisted on direct, boorish communication with God, undermining sacerdotal etiquette.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in the note about his words before the Reichstag at Worms: 'Here I stand! I cannot help myself. God help me! Amen.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/luther
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters