# The Tarantulas — Thus Spoke Zarathustra character guide

> The Tarantulas in Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Tarantulas, Lo

**First appearance:** 0043-part-ii-xxix-the-tarantulas

## Who they are

Symbolic spiders representing vengeful preachers of equality.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

The Tarantulas, as preachers of revenge and egalitarian resentment, are venomous ideological enemies of Zarathustra's will to power.

### [The Superman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/the_superman)

_rivalry_

The Superman's affirmation of hierarchy and power directly contradicts the Tarantulas' doctrine of equality and revenge.

### [The Higher Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/the_higher_men)

_rivalry_

The Higher Men are often caught between the Tarantulas' vengeful ideology and Zarathustra's higher vision, creating tension.

### [The Priests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/the_priests)

_rivalry_

Both groups preach dogmatic systems, but the Priests' otherworldly faith clashes with the Tarantulas' worldly revenge ethic.

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

_rivalry_

The Tarantulas, as preachers of revenge and egalitarian resentment, are venomous ideological enemies of Zarathustra's will to power.

### [The Superman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/the_superman)

_rivalry_

The Superman's affirmation of hierarchy and power directly contradicts the Tarantulas' doctrine of equality and revenge.

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

_rivalry_

The Tarantulas, as preachers of revenge and egalitarian resentment, are venomous ideological enemies of Zarathustra's will to power.

### [The Superman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/the_superman)

_rivalry_

The Superman's affirmation of hierarchy and power directly contradicts the Tarantulas' doctrine of equality and revenge.

## In the story

### [Part I: Zarathustra’s Discourses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-i-zarathustra-s-discourses)

Symbols of vengeful preachers of equality whom Zarathustra warns against.

### [XXIX: The Tarantulas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-ii-xxix-the-tarantulas)

The tarantulas are the 'preachers of equality' whose secret revenge and tyrant-longings hide behind the word 'justice.' They are poison-spiders who would use vengeance against all who are not like them.

## Links

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