Apollonian And Dionysian Analysis

Apollonian and Dionysian
(Friedrich Nietzsche Theories)

You’re sitting at work with a lot on your mind, when your phone rings. You pick it up, to once again be informed that your son has been sent to the principal’s office for the third time this month. When you talk to your husband later that night, you discuss why he keeps pushing the limits and not following the rules. Some say, “Kids will be kids”. Although, your husband responds, “He’s Dionysian like I was at his age.” Before you ask, he goes on to tell that your son is spontaneous and lives for adventure. He also explains that the opposite of you; you’re apollonian. An apollonian follows all orders and directions. They fear trouble and chaos. Both terms came from Greek mythology. “Apollo
and Dionysus were both sons of Zeus. Apollo is the god of reason and rational, while Dionysus is the god of irrational and chaos” (Devir). Each human being is either apollonian, Dionysian or have both in them. After reading in the Jacobus textbook, the essay Apollonianism and Dionysianism, written by Friedrich Nietzsche, I have come to the conclusion that I possess apollonianism and dionysianism in my personality, also that art is apollonianism, and music into society is more Dionysian.
To begin, after reading Apollonianism and Dionysianism by Friedrich Nietzsche, I have realized that I am both apollonian and Dionysian. An apollonian is someone that is based on reason and logical thinking. They follow the rules and go by a schedule. Oppositely, a Dionysian is someone that “goes with the flow”. They are based on chaos and appeals to emotions and instinct. They act on impulse and emotions rather than clear reasoning and rational like an apollonian would. In different aspects of my life, I show both characteristics. When it comes to school and homework, I am very apollonian. I prefer to turn my work in on time and do as I am told through the staff members. Although, in sports I claim to be more Dionysian. When a play is set, or I’m supposed to throw the ball there and cut here. I don’t believe in that system in its entirety. Yes, I think it’s important to have an idea on such plays, although I don’t plan to play as a robot on the field or court. You have to play with your instincts athletic ability to win. In that way, when I am told to run a certain offense or play, I don’t always follow through with such orders. I think for an athlete to be successful, you must have such attitude. If you do exactly as your coach says on the side line you’ll only get so far. Tongeren explained, “In life one needs to have an attitude of a Dionysian or they’ll get pushed around. There comes a time in life when one needs to challenge the high power, or do what they believe is right.” In my life I have balanced being both apollonian and Dionysian in different aspects.
Secondly, art is clearly apollonian, which is explained in Apollonianism and Dionysianism, written by Friedrich Nietzsche. Tejera wrote, “According to Nietzsche, the Apollonian attributes are reason, culture, harmony, and restraint.” Meaning, that apollonian have logical thinking. Everything that they do has a reason and has already be thought about beforehand. Ultimately that is why art is considered apollonian. Most artists have thought about their master piece before creating it. They have throughout each paint stroke, each color and how it contrast with another, how using this tool will add dimension, and etc. Art isn’t thrown together in a day, it takes time and patience to create; in which an apollonian has and a Dionysian doesn’t. If a Dionysian was to be an artist, they would start a piece and get bored, resulting in not finishing. Clearly, art is a passion that only an apollonian pursues.
Lastly, by how Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “Apollonianism and Dionysianism” it’s made clear that rap music in today’s society is Dionysian.
Rap music has very dark lyrics, usually pertaining very touchy and emotional subjects. The musicians usually write songs that listeners can relate to or have strong emotions while listening to, and dionysianism is tied to emotions. Another reason it is classified as dionysianism is because of its offensive language. Resulting in many more young teens enjoying such music more than adults or the older generations. “Dionysian’s seek challenging the norm. Older generations reject such behavior because it is quite opposing to how they were raised, acted, and behaved at younger ages” (Higgins). Dionysian’s are looking for a rush or thrill, and some receive that from rap music, which is why it is described as Dionysian. Obviously, rap music in today’s day an age is ultimately Dionysian due to the lyrics and language
used.
To conclude, after reading in the Jacobus textbook, the essay Apollonianism and Dionysianism, written by Friedrich Nietzsche, I have come to the conclusion that I possess apollonianism and dionysianism in my personality, also that art is apollonianism, and music into society is more Dionysian.
In different aspects of my life I possess both attitudes. In school work, towards the rules and orders given by teachers and staff members I respect those rules always trying to follow them. Although, in athletics I believe that one should play with their instincts and not always how a coach says to, or follow a play just as written out. To be successful you need to be spontaneous and act out of knowledge of the game. Then in today’s society, art is apollonian and music is usually Dionysian. Art pieces, even if they don’t reflect it, are always thought about prior to being created. Each stroke of paint, each color used, each tool used has a reason behind such behavior, which is how an apollonian thinks. Then oppositely, Dionysian love thrill, emotion and breaking past the norm. In rap music, because of the language used and the deep, emotional lyrics written, it is classified as Dionysian. Deleuze explained, “Nietzsche considered the ideal person as someone who balanced between the two. One to show each in different aspect of his or her life. Each quality is beyond necessary to live a successful life.” Through the text read, it’s been made clear that everywhere beyond us we will run
into situations that will bring out either the Dionysian or apollonian side of our personalities.