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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

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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.

“Third Norn: (catching the rope [of fate] and throwing the end behind her: #77 dysrhythmic hint?) Built by Giants, the stronghold towers aloft; with the hallowed kin of gods and heroes (#54 Vari) Wotan sits there within the hall. [[ #115>> ]] A rearing pile of rough-hewn logs towers on high around the hall: (#146) this was once the World-Ash Tree. When the timber blazes brightly in sacred fire, when its embers singe the glittering hall with their searing heat, (#21) the downfall (#54) of the immortal gods (#20a) will dawn for all eternity! (#87 plus drums)”

 

[[#116]] Hallowed contracts’ allegedly binding runes, which Wotan whittled into the Spear he made from the most sacred branch of the World-Ash Tree

By making his spear of divine authority and law - containing the social contract which Wotan never intended to honor - from the most sacred branch of the World-Ash Tree, Wotan delivered a fatal wound which eventually made the World-Ash wither and die, and dried up the sacred spring which formerly trickled out from its roots, whispering wisdom

(#116 is in the same family as #27, #36, #44, and #101: the original, archetypal contract Wotan engraved on his spear, he intended to break)

[See #115 for #116’s dramatic context]

 

[[#117]] Mime’s conspiracy of one to outwit the Wanderer and prompt Siegfried to kill Fafner and win Alberich’s Ring for Mime

(#117’s motival links, if any, not yet ascertained)

“Wanderer: (#113) You ought to have asked what you needed to know; (#112) my head stood bail for knowledge: (#21; #83 vari?) since you still do not know what you need to know, I’ll take yours now in pledge. (#21) (#113 Vari) Your greeting, I thought, was unfit for a guest; into your hands I gave my head to enjoy the warmth of your hearth. By the rules of the wager I’ll take you as pawn if you cannot easily answer three questions: (#21) so, Mime, pluck up your courage! [[ #117 Hint ]]

Mime: (#41?: very timidly and hesitantly, but finally pulling himself together in frightened submission: [[ #117 ]]) It’s long since I quit my native land, long since I left my mother’s womb; (#20a) Wotan’s eye has lighted upon me [Siegfried is Wotan’s missing eye] (looking briefly and surreptitiously at the Wanderer: #20a) into my cave he peered: my mother’s wit grows weak before it. #117>>) But since I now need to be wise, Wanderer, ask away! (#41; #101?) Perhaps, when forced, I may yet succeed in redeeming the head of the dwarf. (#17; #71)”