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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.

[[#4]] “Woglinde’s Lullaby”

Woglinde’s futile effort to keep the world from waking, in order to forestall the "Fall" caused by the evolution of human consciousness. This motif represents the "Ur-Melody," or "Mother-Melody," animal instinct which is the foundation of music

(#4 basis of #128ab and #129ab, while #174abc is a loose inversion; related to #98 as a pentatonic Song of Nature)

"Woglinde:  [[ #4 ]] Weia! Waga! Welter you wave, swirl round the cradle."

[[#5ab]] Alberich's exclamation of woe at being rejected by the Rhinedaughters

(#5 basis of #13, #15, #41, #45, and #161)

"Alberich: [[ #5a ]] "Wehe, [[ #5b ]] ach Wehe! [Woe! Ah, woe!] (#Embryo for #25 and #39:) Has the third one, so true, betrayed me as well?”

[[#6]] Alberich's lurching locomotion in his futile attempt to catch a Rhinedaughter

(#6’s Motival links, if any, not yet ascertained)

“([[ 6 ]] His progress repeatedly obstructed, Alberich clambers up to the top of the ledge with goblin-like agility.)

 

Alberich: [[ #7 ]] Slimily smooth and slippery slate. I can't stop sliding. With my hands and my feet I can't catch or hold those slippery creatures.”

[[#7]] Alberich's Futile Wooing

The futility of Alberich’s attempt to win the love of a Rhinedaughter, representing human consciousness as a stumbling block to feeling