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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.

 

 

(#@: A or C?) The inevitability of Alberich’s victory over the gods, that Alberich’s hoard of knowledge will rise from the silent depths to the light of day and overthrow the illusions which sustain Valhalla (religion)

((#@: A or C?) is a compound motif comprised of #12 and #20b. See #12 and #20b for motival links.)

[[#47]] “Alberich's Rebellion”

Representing Alberich’s rebellion against the gods’ rule (i.e., the objective mind’s rebellion against domination by man’s religious illusions), and intent to overthrow them, and then to force his attentions on their women, without love

(#47 an inversion of #21; basis of #82; through #21, related to #28, #32b, #60, #62, #81ab, part of #83, #137, #164, and perhaps #115)

[[#48]] Alberich and Fafner transformed into a fearful serpent through the Tarnhelms Wonder

Commonly known as the “Dragon Motif,” or “Serpent Motif” - Wagner’s metaphor for man’s fear of death, and the more abstract, existential fear of truth, the primary motives behind man’s involuntary invention of the gods, who assuage man’s fear through the promise of immortality to mortal man

(#48 basis of #49; related to #35, #42, #43, and #154)

 

 

(#@: B) “Arrogance of Power Motif”

Loge (the archetypal artist-hero) and Wotan mock Alberich’s claim to the Ring-power. This power really belongs to Alberich alone, since only he has the ‘ courage to pay the price for it, acknowledgment of the world’s lovelessness. Therefore the gods, who can only sustain their rule through self-deception, are hypocrites in co-opting Alberich’s Ring-power.