# The Ass — Thus Spoke Zarathustra character guide

> The Ass in Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0176-part-iv-lxxviii-the-ass-festival

## Who they are

A donkey worshipped by the Higher Men in a parody of religious ritual.

## Relationships

### [Zarathustra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/zarathustra)

_social_

The Ass, a silent and stubborn beast, becomes a mock object of worship for the Higher Men, highlighting their spiritual bankruptcy.

## In the story

### [The Apostates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iii-lii-the-apostates)

Mentioned metaphorically when Zarathustra laughs at 'asses drunken' and night-watchmen doubting God.

### [LV: The Spirit of Gravity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iii-lv-the-spirit-of-gravity)

Mentioned as the creature that only says 'Yea'—a symbol of uncritical acceptance.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Mentioned as the creature that only says 'Yea-A,' symbolizing uncritical acceptance of all things.

### [LXIII: Talk with the Kings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-lxiii-talk-with-the-kings)

The ass is driven before the kings and brays 'Ye-a' during Zarathustra's rhyme, symbolizing stubbornness or folly.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-i)

The laden ass driven before the kings; it brays 'Ye-a' at the end of the chapter.

### [LXXII: The Supper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-lxxii-the-supper)

Brays 'Ye-a' in response to the king's remark.

### [LXXVII: The Awakening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-lxxvii-the-awakening)

Worshipped by the higher men, it responds with braying 'Ye-a' to each line of their litany, symbolizing uncritical affirmation.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-i)

The ass brays (Ye-a) and joins the noise of the higher men, contributing to the chaotic jubilation.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-ii)

The object of worship, repeatedly braying 'Ye-a' in response to the litany.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-iii)

Central figure of the ass-festival devised by the higher men.

### [The Drunken Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-lxxix-the-drunken-song)

Mentioned as possibly dancing after being given wine by the ugliest man.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-i)

Reportedly danced after being given wine by the ugliest man, though the narrator suggests this may not be certain.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-ii)

Listens along with the others in the cave.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/the_ass
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters