ABSTRACT
Zarathustra refers to the two kings as the one on the right and the one on the left. The main significance of the two kings is that they possess the laden ass who eventually serves as the centerpiece, the idol of worship at the festival during "The Awakening". They also serve to illustrate that "kings" are not the type of higher men that Zarathustra has in mind. After his encounter with the soothsayer, Zarathustra encounters the two kings unexpectedly when roaming in the mountains. Zarathustra is delighted by the wisdom of the kings "which is not fit for everybody's ears". Zarathustra, wanting to mock their eager speech about their fathers' blood and war stories, restrains himself because he sees that these two kings are "very peaceful kings with old and fine faces". Zarathustra's harsh rebuke of the kings and their teachings demonstrates that his vision of nobility is not based on political position, nobility of blood, or worldly prestige.
