Info

Home Page / About Wagnerheim
Introduction by Roger Scruton
About the Author
Interactive Features
Wagner Lecture Videos
Wagner Lecture / Papers Transcript
Links
Contact Us
Discussion Forum

Table of Contents

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

Donations Welcome

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.

[[#153]] “Seduction” – The music-dramatist Siegfried seduced by the prospect of a public performance of his music-drama to betray its unspoken secret, the mystery of religious faith and unconscious artistic inspiration, to his audience

(#153 is in the same family as #24 and #139, motifs sometimes thought of as a family representing sensuous love: this is not always accurate!)

"Gutrune: (#152 Vari) What was the feat that he [Siegfried] performed so bravely that he is called the most glorious hero?

 

Hagen: (#48 Vari) Outside Envy-Cave [“Neidhoehle”] the Nibelung Hoard (#19) was guarded by a giant dragon; (#126 Vari) Siegfried closed its fearsome maw, slew the beast with conquering sword. (#92?) From such a tremendous feat (#109) the hero’s fame has sprung.

 

Gunther: (Pensively: #17 Vari) I’ve heard of the Nibelung Hoard: does it not hide [“birgt”] the most coveted [“Neidlichsten”] treasure? (#19 Vari)

 

Hagen: (#19 Vari) He who knew how to use it (#37) could bend the world, in truth, to his will. (#12)

 

Gunther: (#12) And Siegfried won it in fair fight?

 

Hagen: (#45) The Nibelungs are now his slaves. (#45b; #57 Vari)

 

Gunther: And he alone could win Bruennhilde?

 

Hagen: (#77) Only to him would the fire yield. (#? [possibly a musical figure from Wotan’s confrontation with Siegfried in S.3.2, perhaps relating to Siegfried’s description of killing the Serpent Fafner?])

 

Gunther: (#152 Vari: Rising angrily from his seat.) Why waken doubt and dissent? Why make me long for what I can’t gain by force?

 

(#152 vari>>: He paces up and down the hall in agitation. Without leaving his seat, Hagen stops him with a mysterious gesture as he approaches him again: #42; [[ #154 Fragment ]])

 

Hagen: (#151; #152 vari) If Siegfried brought the bride back home, (#59 voc?) wouldn’t Bruennhilde then be yours?

 

Gunther: (#152; #20d hint?: Turning away again in doubt and anger) (#152 vari>>) what would force the carefree man to woo the bride for me?