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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.

[[#156ab]] “Gutrune” as Siegfried’s false muse and seductress: the authentically inspired artist's compulsion to grant his audience the gift of clairvoyant insight into the secret of his unconscious inspiration through a public performance of his art

(Gutrune’s Motif #156a Dunning links to the family which includes #22, #74, and #99; #156b is part of the family of Gibichung motifs which includes #151, #155, and #171, and perhaps #165)

[See #155 for #156’s dramatic context]

 

[[#157]] Siegfried’s and Gunther’s “Blood-brotherhood Oath:” Siegfried emulates his archetype Loge's relationship with the guardian of oaths, Wotan, by agreeing to help the Gibichungs deceive themselves that they have transcendent value

(#157 possibly derived from #21, according to Dunning)

“Gunther: (#35; #100 accompaniment) High on a fell her home –

 

Siegfried: (Breaking in with astonished haste) ‘High on a fell her home?’

 

Gunther: A fire burns round the hall. –

 

Siegfried: ‘A fire burns round the hall?’ (#128b)

 

Gunther: (#128b>>) Only he who breaks through the fire –

 

Siegfried: (With an immense effort to recall some forgotten memory) ‘Only he who breaks through the fire?’

 

Gunther: (#129? [dies out]) May sue for Bruennhilde’s love.

 

(#154: Siegfried’s gesture at the mention of Bruennhilde’s name shows that all memory of her has faded completely.)

 

Gunther: (#35?) Now I may not climb that fell: (#154) the fire will never die down for me!

 

“Siegfried: (#33b) I’m not afraid of any fire: for you I’ll woo the woman; (#33a) for your liegeman am I and my courage is yours, (#156a) if I can win Gutrune as wife! (#33b)

 

Gunther: (#156a) I grant you Gutrune gladly. (#33b/#77)