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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.

my horn till it echoed far and wide: would some good-hearted friend be glad to join me, I asked by means of that sound.”

 

[[#104]] Siegfried’s contempt for Mime as Wotan’s self-loathing

Siegfried’s contempt for Mime is actually Wotan’s self-loathing, because, thanks to Bruennhilde (Wotan’s wish-womb), in whom Wotan planted the seed of his desire for a hero freed from all that Wotan loathes in himself, Bruennhilde figuratively gave birth to Siegfried, who is Wotan reborn, minus consciousness of his true, loathsome identity. Bruennhilde, Siegfried’s unconscious mind, knows for Siegfried what he doesn’t know himself, his true identity.

(#104’s motival links, if any, not yet ascertained; possibly a basis of #145, though Dunning regards #145 as in the Love Motif Family based on #25)

[#104 is introduced after Siegfried picks up the latest sword Mime has forged for him, to test its mettle:]

“Siegfried: Hey! What worthless toy is this? (#92) This puny pin you call a sword? (He smashes it on the anvil, so that the splinters fly off in all directions. Mime cowers away in terror.) [[ #104>>> ]] There, take the pieces you shameful bungler: [[ #104 scale vari ]] if only I’d smashed them against your skull! How much more must the braggart dupe me? [[ #104 >>> ]] He prates about giants and well-fought battles, of doughty deeds and well-made arms; he’d make me weapons and fashion swords; he vaunts his art [“Kunst”] as though he could do aught aright: when I take in hand whatever he’s hammered, I can crush the trash in a single grip! [[ #104 scale vari ]] Were the knave not simply too scurvy, I’d smash him to pieces with all his smith-work, the old and addle-headed elf! [[ #104 >>> ]] My anger were then at an end!

 

(#104 [sounding like laughter]: In his anger Siegfried throws himself down on a stone bench. Mime continues to keep out of his way.)

 

Mime: (#104 [still sounding like laughter]) Now you’re raving again like a madman: your ingratitude’s gross indeed. If I don’t do everything right for the wicked boy straightaway, (#41 Duple vari) he all too soon forgets whatever good I’ve done him! (#104 >>; #Music lyrically suggestive of nature) Will you never recall what I said about being grateful! You should willingly obey him who’s always proved kind towards you.”