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The Ring

Introduction


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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.

[[#118]] Mime’s (Wotan’s) “wise” head forfeit to the hero who alone can re-forge Nothung and redeem the world by restoring lost innocence, the fearless Siegfried, Wotan's heart

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

[Mime has already accurately answered Wotan’s first two questions: (1) the name of the race towards which Wotan acted badly, yet was dearest of all to him [the Waelsungs], and; (2) the name of the sword Siegfried would have to wield in order to fulfill Mime’s intent that Siegfried kill Fafner:]

“Wanderer: (#117) You’re the wittiest of the wise, who could match you in cunning? (#117) But if you’re so sly as to use the childish hero to further your dwarfish ends, I threaten you now with the third of my questions! – (#41 >>) Tell me, you wily weapon-smith, who do you think will forge (#92) Nothung, the sword, out of these mighty fragments?

 

(Mime starts up in utter terror.)

 

Mime: (in a screeching tone of voice: #104 >>>>) The fragments! The sword! Alas! My head’s swimming! Whatever have I started! Whatever am I thinking of? Alas that I ever stole you! (#5/#104>>>>) It has trapped me in torment and need [“Noth”]; it remains unyielding, I cannot hammer it: rivets and solder fail me completely! (like a man no longer in possession of his wits, he throws his tools around and breaks out in utter despair: #41 Duple Vari) The wisest of smiths is now at a loss: (#102 vari) who’ll forge the sword if I cannot do so? How should I know of this wonder?

 

Wanderer: (Having risen calmly from the hearth: #112) thrice you were meant to question me, thrice I was at your disposal: you asked after (#46?) futile, far off [“Fernen”] things; (#37 vari) but what concerned you most closely (#37 vari) and what you most needed to know, you omitted to ask. (#57; #21/#41) Now that I’ve guessed it, you lose your wits: I’ve won your wily head. (#41) Now, Fafner’s valiant (#48) conqueror, listen, you ill-fated dwarf: [[ #118 ]] only he who never knew fear (#57/#34) will forge the sword anew. (Mime stares at him, wide-eyed: he turns to go: #34) henceforth ward your wise head well: (#26a?; #92) Forfeit I leave it to him (#71 vari “Hero &/or #92c?) who knows not the meaning of fear!

 

(#34: He turns away, smiling, and disappears quickly into the forest. Mime has sunk down on the stool as though crushed.)”