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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.

will [i.e., before Bruennhilde: because Wotan confessed it to her, Bruennhilde holds Wotan’s fearful knowledge (imparted to him by Erda) for Siegfried, so that Siegfried can remain unconscious of it, and will therefore not be paralyzed by Wotan’s foreknowledge, his fear of the end]. Do you know what Wotan wills?

(Long silence)

Wotan: (#53) O unwise woman, I call on you now (#54) to sleep forever, free from care! (#133 chord) Fear of the end of the gods no longer consumes me now that my wish [“Wunsch] so wills it. (#133) What I once resolved in despair (#21?; #51?) in the searing smart of inner turmoil, (#133 vari; #92c or #71 vari “Hero”?) I now perform freely in gladness and joy: [[ #134 ]] though once, in furious loathing [“Ekel”], I bequeathed the world to the Nibelung’s spite [“Neid”], (#92) to the (#133) lordliest (#133) Waelsung I leave my heritage now. (#20a/#57) He whom I chose but who never knew me, the bravest of boys, though deprived of my counsel, has won for himself (#57) the Nibelung’s Ring: (#17 varis >>; #19 Vari [Triumphant Vari]) rejoicing in love, while freed from greed [“Neides”], (#92) Alberich’s curse (#40 or #64b or #133?) is powerless over the noble youth (#? [possible ref to Bruennhilde’s remark to Wotan just prior to Wotan’s confession in V.2.2: “To Wotan’s will you speak when you tell me what you will: who am I if not your will?”?] for fear remains unknown to him. (#40b>>) Bruennhilde, whom you bore to me, (#64ab) the hero will lovingly waken: [[ #134 ]]; #? [What is in the bass?]) waking, your all-wise child, ([[ #134 ]]; #? [#92c, or #71 vari “Hero”?: is it Bruennhilde’s final vocal line as she plunges with Grane into Siegfried’s funeral pyre in the finale of T.3.3, singing: “In bliss your wife bids you welcome!”?]) will work the deed that redeems the world. (#87?: somewhat broadly) And so, sleep on, (#97) close your eyes and, (#19?) dreaming, behold my end! Whatever they do – [[ #134 ]] to one who’s eternally young the god now yields in gladness. (#133) Descend then, Erda! (#133/#87) Primeval mothers’ fear! Primeval care! (#133; #87?) Descend! Descend! (#97) To ageless sleep!”

 

[[#135]] Wotan’s interrogation of Siegfried to insure Siegfried does not know who Siegfried is, Wotan's unwitting instrument of redemption

Wotan tests Siegfried to insure Siegfried can’t trace his origins back to Wotan, and is therefore the free hero Wotan has longed for. Wotan’s crucial question: how did Siegfried learn the meaning of Woodbirdsong, i.e., is Siegfried an authentically unconsciously inspired artist-hero, with access to man’s collective unconscious, Bruennhilde

(#135’s motival links, if any, not yet ascertained; however, I suspect a harmonic link with the Valhalla Motif #20a)

"Wanderer: (remaining where he is: #129b frag and varis) Whither, my lad, does your