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Title Page
Dedication Page
General Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations for key references
Guide to abbreviations used in text
Allen Dunning's numbered Guide to the Ring's Musical Motifs
Detailed Table of Contents

The Ring

Introduction


References
Appendix I
Appendix I I

Key Colour Coding

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I would be grateful for donations of any size, small or large, to help defray the cost (1) of maintaining this website, (2) and to finance my past and present research which produced my book posted here, Volume One of "The Wound That Will Never Heal," and my forthcoming revision of Volume One (to be submitted for publication), and completion of Volume Two on Wagner's six other canonic operas and music-dramas. I sacrificed at least seven years of paid employment and incurred debts to complete this project, and am currently unemployed, so I thank you in advance for any financial help you can provide. Your friend, Paul Heise.

(#57) – [[ #86 Inverted?]] The Ash-Tree topples – the trunk is riven!” (…) (She sinks senseless into Siegmund’s arms.)”

 

[[#87]] “Fate”

Erda’s daughters, the Norns, weave her knowledge of all that was, is, and will be into the rope of natural law, “ur-law,” which represents objective truth, the natural necessity of all things. Alberich affirms Erda’s objective truth, while Wotan (man’s religio-artistic impulse) renounces and therefore sins against it.

(#87’s motival links, if any, not yet ascertained; but Cooke suggested a possible link with the family of motifs which includes #35, #42, #44, #48, and #154)

“[[ #87; #87 ]] Leading her horse by the bridle, Bruennhilde emerges from the cave and advances slowly and solemnly to the front of the stage. [[ #88 ]] She pauses and observes Siegmund from a distance. [[ #87; #87 ]] Again she advances slowly. [[ #88 ]]: She stops, somewhat closer to him. She carries her shield and spear in one hand, resting the other on her horse’s neck, and thus observes Siegmund with a grave expression. #20bc?)

 

Bruennhilde: Siegmund! [[ #87 ]] Look on me! I am she whom you’ll follow soon. [[ #87 ]];

 

Siegmund: (Raising his eyes to her: [[ #88 ]]) Who are you, say, who appears before me so fair and solemn?

 

Bruennhilde: [[ #87 ]] The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me: [[ #87 ]] he who beholds me goes hence from life’s light. (#20a?) In battle alone I appear before heroes. (#20c) Him who perceives me (#20d) I’ve chosen as one of the slain.

 

Siegmund: (#87: Gazing at length into her eyes, steadfastly and searchingly, then lowering his head in thought and finally turning to her resolutely again [[ #88 ]]) the hero who follows you – where will you lead him?

 

Bruennhilde: (#20a?) The Lord of the Slain has chosen you – to him do I lead you now: (#20a) you’ll follow me to Valhalla. (#20a)

 

Siegmund: (#88) In Valhalla’s hall shall I find the Lord of the Slain [“Walvater] alone?

 

Bruennhilde: (#20a?) The noble host of fallen heroes welcomes you fondly with greeting most holy. (#77)