Whilst Z is talking the rope dancer has commenced his performance. Z's parable of man as the rope between animal and the superman is actually acted out with the rope dancer walking between two great towers [perhaps towers because these represent mans construct of animal and superman].
The rope dancer is followed by an extravagantly dressed [to represent perhaps mans attention to detail to this symbolic idea] gentleman intended to represent the "devil".
He seeks to undermine the rope dancers resolve by questioning his motives, asserting his actions are erroneous and demonstrating his insufficiency by comparison. Interestingly these elements comprise typical methods of attack often associated with the devil within judeo-christian traditions. He pursues advancing with each step and ultimately leaping over [inhuman act reinforcing his supernatural nature and the act symbolic of overcoming] the rope dancer.
The rope dancer we are told looses his head and his balance [perhaps signifying reason and his ability to juggle that which is necessary to attain the superman] and plumets to earth. The herd parts to permit his falling but Z remains and kneels beside his disfigured remains. This is an act of submission demonstrating Z's respect for the rope dancer actions. That the fall does not kill him indicates that whilst the fall was fatal there was still the opportunity for the rope dancer to grasp something new.
The rope dancer expresses his fear of hell and highlights his fear of that which over took him. Z assures him there is no hell and that his soul [perhaps consciousness] will expire long before his body. Perhaps this entire scene is intended to demonstrate the snare that is a fear of eternal consequence? Instead of taking comfort the rope dancer relays that if Z speaks the truth he is then just a "dancing monkey" [indicating he is just another well trained animal but lacks even what it means to be human]. Z responds with the claim that the rope dancer made "danger his calling" and that this is not something which should be held in contempt. The rope dancer here has aspired and moved towards something greater than he and Z looks to highlight the value of such action. Z demonstrates his reverence for such aspiration noting that he will now bury the rope dancer himself. With such comforting thoughts the rope dancer passes away.
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