Re: Wagner and the Greeks

On Sun, 30 Nov 2003 15:32:16 -0800, Charles Zigmund wrote:

> Derrick Everett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> 
>> ...We should keep in mind that Wagner selected elements that suited his
>> purposes from contemporary interpretations of the Eddas and discarded
>> others that did not suit his purposes.  In the case of the Norns,
>> Wagner was more influenced by the Greek fates (Gk. Moirai) than by any
>> Nordic tradition; in particular it should be noted that there is no
>> reference there to the Norns weaving a rope of fate.  Like other
>> important aspects of Wagner's "mythology", this one was taken from
>> Greek, not Nordic, sources...
> 
> This is interesting. Would you be good enough to note some other
> instances of Wagner's use of Greek mythology as a source? Perhaps not a
> complete survey, this would be asking too much, but some important
> examples.

You will be able to find many references to Greek mythology and literature
in Wagner's writings from his period of "Greek optimism", especially "Art
and Revolution" and "The Art-Work of the Future".  As early as
"Tannhäuser" there is a reference to Homer in the song of the sirens,
which we hear in the Venusberg.  In "A Communication to my Friends" (Eine
Mitteilung an Meine Freunde), Wagner points to a parallel between the
relationship of Lohengrin and Elsa, and that of Zeus and Semele; and
Wagner refers to the story of Odysseus as a prototype of the Dutchman.

Either in "Communication" or in "Oper und Drama" (or both) there are
references to the myths of Oedipus and Antigone.  The latter can be seen
as an element of Wagner's Brünnhilde.  Who refers to "Prometheus", IMHO,
towards the end of "Götterdämmerung" act one, "Ein Aar kam geflogen mich
zu zerfleischen!"

As well as the Norns, dicussed earlier, other influences of Greek
mythology and literature can be detected in the "Ring", which is clearly
inspired by Athenian tragedy, especially cycles such as the "Oresteia".
The relationship of Wotan and Fricka owes more to the strained marriage of
Zeus and Hera than it does to the Nordic Odin and Frigg.  This suggests a
parallel between Siegmund and Heracles/Hercules, although it is true that
there is a weaker parallel with Balder.  Yet it is Siegfried as Heracles
who rescues an unwilling Prometheus from the rock.

-- 
Derrick Everett   (deverett at c2i.net)
==== Writing from  59°54'N 10°36'E ====
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