Re: Burning questions about the Ring's symbolism and leitmotifs

> > 1. What do the two Ravens represent? 
> 
As more of an aside rather than the definitive interpretation, in
Native American culture, ravens are considered the conveyors of souls
to "the other side".  And actually I've had a couple of experiences
with ravens which, if nothing else, make me understand why Indians
might believe that.  I doubt that Wagner, however, had any great
understanding of Dine or Hopi beliefs.
> 
> > 
> > 2. What does Loge represent? Aside from the God of Fire, is he the God
> > of Lies, the God of Truth, the God of Thought, a combination of the
> > above, or none of the above? What is the connection between any of
> > these, if any? I find explanations by Cooke and Donington to be
> > implausible.
> 
> He's a lawyer.  Chief counsel to Wotan.

The consilgnari--like Tom Hagen in The Godfather :-)
> 
> > 
> > 3. Why do the Rhinemaidens and the Woodbird have a common motive? (It
> > shows up when the Rhinemaidens sing, "Weia! Waga! Woge du Welle!")
> 
> They are creatures of nature.
> 
> > 
> > 4. Why do Loge, the Woodbird, and the Ravens have a common motive? (It's
> > a rising chromatic figure and a series of trills that appear in The
> > Rhinegold when Wotan says, "Endlich Loge! Eilest du so...")
> 
> Loge too is natural.  Like Erda, he is elemental.

By combining 3 + 4 then, the Rhinemaidens, Loge, Forest bird and
Ravens all have a common motive.  As I recall from the Deryk Cooke
recorded "An Introduction to Wagner's Ring", there was a comment that
in Rhinegold, Erda sings an ascending scale--a variation of the Nature
motif--when warning Wotan of the impending doom of the Gods:
". . . but as she comes to the point the orchestra changes her rising
motive into a falling one.  The motive for life and growth becomes the
motive for deatn and decay."

Cooke also includes, for example, the Sword motive as belonging to
"the family of motives evolved from the Nature Motive."

Actually, the Cooke recording is something I haven't listened to for
decades.  I'm gonna have to go back to it.

RICK