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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.

 (#30b basis of #97; #30b possibly related to #33b)

[See #29 for #30’s dramatic context]

[[#31]] Freia's Optimistic, Grateful Brother “Froh”

The two sources of inspiration for religious faith, for belief in the gods, is fear (Donner’s thunder) and gratitude (Freia’s brother Froh)

(#31 based on #29)

[#31 first heard as Froh and Donner respond to Freia's cries for help to save her from the Giants, who threaten to take her because Wotan has offered her as payment to the Giants for their construction of the gods' abode Valhalla]

 

“Freia: Help! Save me from these hard-hearted brutes!

 

Froh: [[ #31 ]]: taking Freia in his arms) To me, Freia! (to Fafner) Get back from her, you bully! Froh protects the fair!"

 

(…)

 

"Donner: [[ #32ab ]]: Planting himself in the path of both the Giants) Fasolt and Fafner, you've felt my hammer's heavy blow before?"

 

[[#32ab]] “Donner,” Fearful God of Thunder – Enforcer of the Gods’ Rule (Faith)

The two sources of inspiration for religious faith, for belief in the gods, are fear (Donner’s thunder) and gratitude (Freia’s brother Froh)

(#32b based on #21's Embryo; #32b related to #60 and #62; #32b in same family as #28, #81Ab, part of #83, #96ab, #137, #164, and possibly #115; inversion of #32b related to #47 and #82)

[See #31 for #32's dramatic context]