Friedrich Nietzsche's collapse in Turin, Italy, has long been shrouded in mystery and myth. The popular narrative suggests that Nietzsche's breakdown was triggered by witnessing a horse being whipped, but this story is likely more fiction than fact. This article delves into the true circumstances of Nietzsche's collapse, examining the evidence and debunking the myths.
The widely circulated story goes like this: On January 3, 1889, Nietzsche was walking through the streets of Turin when he saw a man whipping a horse. Overcome with emotion, Nietzsche threw his arms around the horse to protect it and subsequently collapsed. This tale, while dramatic, is not supported by contemporary accounts.
Nietzsche's friend, Franz Overbeck, was immediately informed of the philosopher's collapse. In his writings, Overbeck described Nietzsche as being in a state of madness but made no mention of a horse or any incident involving animal cruelty. This omission casts doubt on the veracity of the popular story.
The horse-whipping story first appeared in the Italian newspaper Nuova Antologia on September 16, 1900, more than a decade after Nietzsche's collapse and shortly after his death. Given the sensational nature of the story and the timing of its publication, it is likely that the account was fabricated or at least heavily embellished.
Adding to the suspicion is the presence of an equestrian statue in Piazza Carlo Alberto, where the incident supposedly took place. The statue depicts Carlo Alberto with a raised sword, which could easily have inspired the fictional narrative published in Nuova Antologia.
Nietzsche's erratic behavior and mental decline were evident long before his collapse in Turin. Various theories have been proposed to explain his condition, including syphilis, brain tumors, and other neurological disorders.
For many years, it was widely believed that Nietzsche suffered from syphilis, a common diagnosis for mental illness in the 19th century. However, modern scholars have questioned this theory, noting that the progression of his symptoms does not align with the typical course of untreated syphilis.
Recent research suggests that Nietzsche may have had a brain tumor, which could explain his prolonged and severe mental deterioration. A study published in the Journal of Medical Biography in 1999 supports this hypothesis, arguing that a tumor could account for the range of symptoms Nietzsche exhibited.
After his collapse, Nietzsche's mental state continued to deteriorate. He wrote several bizarre letters, often signing them as "Dionysus" or "the crucified one." These letters reveal a mind oscillating between psychosis, dementia, and catatonia.
Nietzsche was moved between various psychiatric clinics before his sister, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, took over his care. Elisabeth's involvement in Nietzsche's life and work has been controversial, particularly her role in editing and publishing his unfinished notes.
Elisabeth compiled and edited Nietzsche's unpublished notes into the book The Will to Power, which she published after his death. Her revisions and interpretations have been criticized for distorting Nietzsche's original ideas. Unfortunately, these distortions contributed to the appropriation of Nietzsche's work by Nazi ideologues, a development that would have horrified the philosopher, who championed radical individualism.
Nietzsche's life was marked by suffering and mental anguish, culminating in his collapse in Turin. While the popular story of the horse-whipping incident is likely a myth, the true circumstances of his breakdown are no less tragic. Nietzsche's philosophy, characterized by a deep exploration of nihilism and existentialism, was both a reflection of and a response to his own tormented existence.
By examining the true circumstances of Nietzsche's collapse and the myths that have grown around it, we gain a deeper understanding of the philosopher's life and the enduring impact of his work.
