innerlines's review
This was... not entirely what I expected.
I absolutely loved the first two plays (Rhinegold and Valkyrie) but the latter two were quite disappointing from a gender equality perspective. For example, there was one scene where Brunnhilde stated that now that she lost her virginity, all of her power was lost, and I... I just balked. Seriously? Just, why?!
I should have known that an operatic masterpiece from the mid-1800s wouldn’t be progressive for it’s time, but I had some hope.
Overall a solid masterpiece of work that I don’t regret reading, and provided the background I’ve always wanted to know from reading the graphic novel series by Alex Alice (Siegfried - would highly recommend) from a while back.
P.S. I look forward to seeing the allusions in LOTR to this book and Beowulf when I read it in the near future.
I absolutely loved the first two plays (Rhinegold and Valkyrie) but the latter two were quite disappointing from a gender equality perspective. For example, there was one scene where Brunnhilde stated that now that she lost her virginity, all of her power was lost, and I... I just balked. Seriously? Just, why?!
I should have known that an operatic masterpiece from the mid-1800s wouldn’t be progressive for it’s time, but I had some hope.
Overall a solid masterpiece of work that I don’t regret reading, and provided the background I’ve always wanted to know from reading the graphic novel series by Alex Alice (Siegfried - would highly recommend) from a while back.
P.S. I look forward to seeing the allusions in LOTR to this book and Beowulf when I read it in the near future.
lostiolite's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
3.5
The beginning half of the book was just not for me. I found myself spacing out constantly, but once things started to pick up speed with the dragon fight and the romance as everything came around, it became more interesting and actually held my attention. Plus, the illustrations were neat-o.
shivani_maurya's review against another edition
5.0
Finally!! A 5 star read! This was such a loaded choice for me that I am pretty sure this review is gonna gush out rather than be a cohesive reflection. Frankly, I was skeptical of picking up an opera for my next read. I can't compare it to any other work. Have next to no know-how of opera performances or theater directions. So, my only interest was the story it tells. And I DO NOT EXAGGERATE, when I say that watching the performance of Wagner's Ring Cycle has made my bucket list. Sadly, I can't do it anytime soon. But it's definitely one of my top wishes now. In retrospect, Tolkien might have pushed me on to peruse this masterpiece. Wagner no doubt inspired many artists of his time and the ones who came later. And having read this work, I can't help but see the parallels within Tolkien's Middle Earth. Which, by the way, is titillating to no end. I am in awe of the inspirations that Tolkien seems to have found in Wagner's Ring Cycle (will talk of my speculations in this regard).
Having read [b:The Prose Edda|24658|The Prose Edda|Snorri Sturluson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411896509s/24658.jpg|1198450] and [b:The Saga of the Volsungs|593109|The Saga of the Volsungs|Anonymous|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1425248275s/593109.jpg|180373], I could relate to Wagner's loosely-abiding derivations. The Ring Cycle merges the Norse mythology with the Volsung Saga, essentially taking the best of both the worlds. Norse myths and Volsung heroic legends come together in this epic. And it speaks volumes about Wagner's talent that the result is no less intriguing than its origins.
The introduction by John Deathridge (translator), traces the history of the Ring Cycle in brief. It offers a perspective to changes in operatic performances under Wagner's influence, his modifications to the script over time and methods applied to the translation of this much revered German work. This being my first translation, I quite liked the text in its ability to convey the idea faithfully. Not once did I fear the plot details getting lost in translation. The word plays in the German text may not have lent themselves faithfully to the English text. And there might be better translations out there. But I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this one. The Synopses at the beginning gives away the plot in plain English prose. One can use it to prepare for the plot development. But the translation being clear and succinct, one need not go through this spoiler of sorts. I say, jump right into the verses and power this magnum opus with your imagination.
The book offers both the German and the English version of the Ring Cycle, with ample footnotes. One need not know the Norse myths or Volsung Saga in comprehensive detail to understand the plot. Wagner is not entirely faithful to either anyways. He takes the divine element from the Norse pantheon and the mortal element from the heroic legends and mixes them up, albeit harmoniously. A hero with divine roots is manufactured into existence by an ever dissatisfied God for his own greedy purpose. Wagner prepares his readers for tragedy, right from the start. Themes of incest, betrayal, envy and revenge form the under current taking the characters speedily along to their doomed end. And yes, the plot claims many innocent lives in the process. Here are some of my favourites from the translated text,
And now I want to wax enthusiastically on the parallels with the Tolkien world. The most obvious of all is the coveting of a cursed ring, around which everything revolves.
I can go on and on. And I don't believe I am reading too much into this. It is well known that Tolkien was well versed in Norse myths and Icelandic sagas. He in turn made his own derivations from them to incorporate in his mythos. And it is not a stretch of imagination, that in some obscure way Wagner did inspire Tolkien to write his own Ring Saga. What is amazing is how different they are from each other despite the observed thematic similarities.
Wagner's Ring Cycle seems more and more like an iconic work, shining light on the works that succeeded it. Recognizing the archetypes is only part of the joy. The experience of reading it is filled with moments of pleasant recollections for Tolkien fans. I might try other translations in future. Hopefully, I will get to enjoy this visually soon. But, Tolkien enthusiast or no, it goes without saying that this much acclaimed yet less known work should be on everyone's TBR. :)
Having read [b:The Prose Edda|24658|The Prose Edda|Snorri Sturluson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411896509s/24658.jpg|1198450] and [b:The Saga of the Volsungs|593109|The Saga of the Volsungs|Anonymous|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1425248275s/593109.jpg|180373], I could relate to Wagner's loosely-abiding derivations. The Ring Cycle merges the Norse mythology with the Volsung Saga, essentially taking the best of both the worlds. Norse myths and Volsung heroic legends come together in this epic. And it speaks volumes about Wagner's talent that the result is no less intriguing than its origins.
A restless God.
A coveted treasure.
A feared curse.
A forbidden love.
A doomed hero.
A scorned enemy.
An unavoidable fate.
The introduction by John Deathridge (translator), traces the history of the Ring Cycle in brief. It offers a perspective to changes in operatic performances under Wagner's influence, his modifications to the script over time and methods applied to the translation of this much revered German work. This being my first translation, I quite liked the text in its ability to convey the idea faithfully. Not once did I fear the plot details getting lost in translation. The word plays in the German text may not have lent themselves faithfully to the English text. And there might be better translations out there. But I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this one. The Synopses at the beginning gives away the plot in plain English prose. One can use it to prepare for the plot development. But the translation being clear and succinct, one need not go through this spoiler of sorts. I say, jump right into the verses and power this magnum opus with your imagination.
The book offers both the German and the English version of the Ring Cycle, with ample footnotes. One need not know the Norse myths or Volsung Saga in comprehensive detail to understand the plot. Wagner is not entirely faithful to either anyways. He takes the divine element from the Norse pantheon and the mortal element from the heroic legends and mixes them up, albeit harmoniously. A hero with divine roots is manufactured into existence by an ever dissatisfied God for his own greedy purpose. Wagner prepares his readers for tragedy, right from the start. Themes of incest, betrayal, envy and revenge form the under current taking the characters speedily along to their doomed end. And yes, the plot claims many innocent lives in the process. Here are some of my favourites from the translated text,
Those runes of solemn covenant
enshrined in your spear,
are they just playthings to you?
You use splendour to rule,
you're a glitteringly regal race,
how foolish that you strive
after towers of stone,
pledge the loveliness of woman
in exchange for fortress and hall!
To hush up their scandal,
idiots smear me!
Rudeness is always Loge's reward!
a free man must bring himself into being;
slaves are all I can create.
All and sundry are of their kind:
nothing you do can change it.
And now I want to wax enthusiastically on the parallels with the Tolkien world. The most obvious of all is the coveting of a cursed ring, around which everything revolves.
1. The Rhinegold Ring (that can belong to none) is highly reminiscent of the infamous Ring from [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1547450792s/33.jpg|3462456]. Many aspects of the journey of the rings are so on the nose that I need not elaborate much.
2. For those who have read [b:The Silmarillion|7332|The Silmarillion (Middle-Earth Universe)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336502583s/7332.jpg|4733799], there is the familiar element of kin strife over treasure.
3. The Children of Húrin explores the tropes of dragon slaying and a doomed incestuous relationship as used here.
4. Siegfried's love for Brunnhilde finds reflection in Beren's love for Lúthien and Aragorn's love for Arwen.
5. The riddle contest between Wotan and Alberich reminds of the riddling between Bilbo and Sméagol.
6. Broken sword of Nothung reminds one of the broken sword Narsil.
7. Sieglinde's handing over of her child to Mime (a dark elf/dwarf) is paralleled in rearing of Aragorn in Rivendell amidst elves.
8. Aragorn, like Siegfried, goes on a quest to redeem his ancestry/lineage with the help of a reforged sword.
9. The destruction of the Ring, which in turn ushers a New Age and the departure of the elves can be likened to the Twilight of the Gods.
I can go on and on. And I don't believe I am reading too much into this. It is well known that Tolkien was well versed in Norse myths and Icelandic sagas. He in turn made his own derivations from them to incorporate in his mythos. And it is not a stretch of imagination, that in some obscure way Wagner did inspire Tolkien to write his own Ring Saga. What is amazing is how different they are from each other despite the observed thematic similarities.
Wagner's Ring Cycle seems more and more like an iconic work, shining light on the works that succeeded it. Recognizing the archetypes is only part of the joy. The experience of reading it is filled with moments of pleasant recollections for Tolkien fans. I might try other translations in future. Hopefully, I will get to enjoy this visually soon. But, Tolkien enthusiast or no, it goes without saying that this much acclaimed yet less known work should be on everyone's TBR. :)
destiel74's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am obsessed with the story of Sigurd and Brunhilde. The opera is intriguing to say the least thought I don't know if I could sit through it in real time without getting fidgety.
lordmagnus's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. With less incest and more from the gods, it would have been 5 stars