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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.

[[#153]] “Seduction” – The music-dramatist Siegfried seduced by the prospect of a public performance of his music-drama to betray its unspoken secret, the mystery of religious faith and unconscious artistic inspiration, to his audience

(#153 is in the same family as #24 and #139, motifs sometimes thought of as a family representing sensuous love: this is not always accurate!)

[[#154]] “Hagen’s Potion” – The Wagnerian “Wonder” (Wagner’s musical motif) betrays the secret of the poet-dramatist’s (Wotan’s) unconscious aim to Siegfried’s audience, making them fellow-knowers of Wotan’s unspoken secret

(#154 is in the family of motifs based on #35, including #42, #43, #48, and #100)

[[#155]] The Gibichungs’ Mime-like proffer of “false friendship” to Siegfried: they will drug him and exploit him to win honors for themselves which they can’t win on their own merits

(#155 is in the family of Gibichung motifs based on a specific interval drop, which includes #151, #156, #171, and perhaps #165)

[[#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)

[[#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)