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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

Donations Welcome

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.

[[#22]] “Love's Longing” for Fidelity

(#22 basis for #64a, #74, #99, and perhaps #106 and #156b?)

[[#23]] The domestic bliss of Valhalla

Fricka’s hope that the domestic bliss of Valhalla (i.e., the quiet and security offered by a civilization founded on religious faith) will keep Wotan (mankind) from wandering outside its confines (i.e., from betraying religious faith and the civilized values which stem from it)

(#23 based on #8; basis of #93 and #149)

[[#24]] “Freia” (the first of two motifs representing Freia as Goddess of Love, in this case "Sensuous Love")

(#24 basis of #139; possible basis of #153)

[[#25]] “Freia” (the second motif representing Freia as Goddess of Love, in this case "Transcendent Love")

Freia as Goddess of Divine, Transcendent Love assuages and idealizes man’s desire (Fasolt)

(#25 based on Embryo from the vocal line of Alberich’s complaint at having his bid for love rejected by all three Rhinedaughters, who had led him on: “(#5a) Woe! (#5b) Ah, woe! (#25 & #39 Embryo) Has the third, so true, betrayed me as well?”; basis of #39, of Definitive Love Motif #40 and #64b, of #80b, #133, and #140; possible basis of #145)

[[#26ab]] “Giants”

Man’s egoistic animal instincts of desire (Fasolt), and self-preservation or fear (Fafner)