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.

[[#47]] “Alberich's Rebellion”

Representing Alberich’s rebellion against the gods’ rule (i.e., the objective mind’s rebellion against domination by man’s religious illusions), and intent to overthrow them, and then to force his attentions on their women, without love.

(#47 an inversion of #21; basis of #82; through #21, related to #28, #32b, #60, #62, #81Ab, part of #83, #137, #164, and perhaps #115)

“Alberich: (#33b) Envy [“Neid”] brings you to Nibelheim: (#33b) such dauntless guests, believe me, I know well.

 

Loge: You know me well, you childish elf? Then say who I am that you yelp like that. In a frozen hole where you coweringly lay, who’d have given you light and warming fire if Loge hadn’t smiled upon you? What use would your forge-work have been (#35) if I hadn’t heated your forge? I am your kinsman and once was your friend: so your thanks seem far from fitting! (#35)

 

Alberich: (#35) So Loge now smiles on the light-elves, cunning rogue that he is? If, False traitor, you’re now their friend, as you once were a friend to me, haha! – I’m Glad – from them I’ve nothing to fear.

 

Loge: And so, I think, you can trust me.

 

Alberich: I trust your dishonesty, not your honesty! ([[ #48 Embryo ]]: Adopting a defiant attitude): [[ #47 ]] I can safely defy you all!”

 

[#47 soon recurs in the following highly significant context:]

 

"Alberich: (#24 Vari) You who live, laugh and love up there in the breath of gentle breezes: [[ #47 ]] in my golden grasp I'll capture all you gods! (#19) (#18; #24 Vari) As love has been forsworn by me, so all that lives shall also forswear it. (#24 Vari) Lured by gold, you'll lust after gold alone. (#19) (#20c) Rocked in (#20a?) blissful abandon on radiant heights, (#20a?) you eternal free-livers (#19) scorn the black elf: Beware! Beware! (#39 or #40?) For when your menfolk yield to my power, (#39 or #40?) your pretty women, who spurned my wooing, [[ #47 ]] shall forcibly sate the lust of the dwarf, though love may no longer smile upon him."