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Title Page
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Allen Dunning's numbered Guide to the Ring's Musical Motifs
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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.

[[#161]] “Hagen’s Watch Motif” – By giving his muse Bruennhilde and her secrets away to his audience (Gunther), Siegfried unwittingly fulfills Alberich's prophecy that Wotan's heroes will serve him, by bringing Alberich's hoard of knowledge (embodied by his Ring) up from the silent depths to the light of day

(#161 is based directly on #45, which is essentially a variation of #5ab with #19’s harmony, via intermediate transformations of #5ab such as #15 and #13, and #41)

[While Siegfried and Gunther have cast off down the Rhine in Siegfried’s boat, so that Siegfried can abduct Bruennhilde for Gunther and Hagen can wait on Siegfried to bring him his father Alberich’s Ring, Hagen, per Gunther’s request, guards Gibichung Hall overnight:]

“(#151b [as if transforming into #19?]; 103a; #151b; #103a: Siegfried has seized the oar and with its strokes drives the boat downstream, so that it is soon completely lost from view.)

 

Hagen: (sitting motionless, his back resting upon the door-post of the hall: #151b) I sit here on watch, guarding the garth, defending the hall from the foe: [[ #161 ]]; #40 Vari) the wind wafts (#59a, b, or c? [as if transforming into #19?]) Gibich’s son away, awooing he is going. (#151/#103a) (#92ab) His helm is held by a doughty hero, (#92c?) who’ll face every danger for him: [[ #161 ]] (#154/#103>>) his very own bride he’ll bring to the Rhine; to me, though, he’ll bring the Ring. (#151/#37; #12) [[ #162a ]] You free-born sons, (#51?) carefree companions, (#37; [[ #162b ]]) merrily sail on your way! [[ #162 End Fragment ]] Though you think him lowly, you’ll serve him yet, (Special Motif #20a Vari Minor/#12 [this compound motif deserves motival status in this list!!!!]) the Nibelung’s son! [[ #161 ]]”

 

[[#162ab]] Hagen’s envy of those who enjoy the subjective, heartfelt consolations of illusion in religion, art, and love, and intent to venge himself upon them for co-opting his father Alberich’s Ring power without paying its price

(#162ab’s motival links, if any, not yet ascertained; but Dunning detects #37’s influence.)

[See #161 for #162’s dramatic context.]