Ring Cycle 1: Die Walküre Musings

Since Opera Tattler (pictured left dressed as Brünnhilde with Herr Feldheim as Wotan) has already done such a fine job reviewing Die Walküre, I've decided to take another angle and explore the relationship between "love" and "free will." Could the former exist without the latter?

I've always been a huge romantic, but never particularly cared for the institution of marriage. When asked why, I oft reply that I would rather wake up each morning knowing that the man lying next to me is there because he wants to be, not because he feels obligated to be there, fulfilling a duty. A relationship should be allowed to run its course and the two people involved free to exercise their will to stay or leave. But marriage binds husband and wife together by law, an artificial vehicle created by society that stifles free will in the interest of order and stability.

It is Wotan who understands that love is an independent, organic entity, ever changing and evolving, much like what Kant describes as the thing-in-itself (das Ding an sich) and also basis for Schopenhauer's concept of the will. Being the progressive that he his, Wotan is accepting of change while his wife, Fricka, who upholds the law of marriage, constantly fights against it. This is apparent in their argument when she rebukes him for allowing not only adultery, but incestuous love to flourish between Siegmund and Sieglinde:

Fricka
If you deem praiseworthy
the violation of marriage,
then bluster away,
and praise and sanctify
the incestuous fruit
of a twins' union.
My heart shudders,
my brain swims:
brother and sister
in nuptial embrace!
When did this ever happen
that brother and sister were lovers?

Wotan
Today you have seen it happen:
experience then
that which of itself has come about,
though it may never have come about before.
That they love each other
must be plain to you;
take then some honest advice!
As your blessing
with sweet joy is rewarded,
then smile on love, bless
the union of Siegmund and Sieglinde!

It is society that defines what is "acceptable" vs. "unacceptable" love. Adultery (a common byproduct of people trapped in loveless marriages), incest, the love between a young child and a mature adult, even homosexual love are all frowned upon, some more so than others. But according to Wotan, love is love. Whichever form it takes, who are we to judge what is right or wrong if it is governed by free will from both parties?

During the final scene in Act III when Wotan sings, "denn Einer nur freie die Braut, der freier als ich, der Gott!" (For only one shall win the bride, one freer than I, the god!) I always weep. Wotan is bound by his oath to Fricka, but just as one cannot be forced to love, the converse is also true. Not even Fricka can force Wotan to stop loving Siegmund - his will dictates the objects of his love and Brünnhilde, being the physical manifestation of Wotan's will, understood this. She knew Wotan loved the Wälsung and thus could not carry out his orders as they were false and contradictory to his true will. On the surface, it is heartbreaking to see a father say goodbye to his favorite child, the most sacred pride of his heart, for the very last time. But on a deeper level, the moment Wotan bids his beloved Brünnhilde farewell is also the moment he forsakes not only his Will, but also Love.