How Long to Read The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung

How Long Does it Take to Read The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung?

It takes the average reader 4 hours and 42 minutes to read The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung by Alexander H. Shapiro

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

In this book on Richard Wagner’s compelling but enigmatic masterpiece Götterdämmerung, the final opera of his monumental Ring tetralogy, Alexander H. Shapiro advances an ambitious new interpretation which uncovers intriguing new facets to the work’s profound insights into the human condition. By taking a fresh look at the philosophical and historical influences on Wagner, and critically reevaluating the composer’s intellectual worldview as revealed in his own prose works, letters, and diary entries, the book challenges a number of conventional views that continue to impede a clear understanding of this work’s meaning. The book argues that Götterdämmerung, and hence the Ring as a whole, achieves coherence when interpreted in terms of contemporary nineteenth-century theories of progress, and, in particular, G.W.F. Hegel’s philosophies of mind and history. A central target of the book is the article of faith that has come to dominate Wagner scholarship over the years – that Wagner’s encounter in 1854 with Arthur Schopenhauer’s philosophy conclusively altered the final message of the Ring from one of historical optimism to existential pessimism. The author contends that Schopenhauer’s uncompromising denigration of the will and denial of the possibility for human progress find no place in the written text of the Ring or in a plausible reading of the final musical setting. In its place, the author discovers in the famous Immolation Scene a celebration of mankind’s inexhaustible capacity for self-improvement and progress. The author makes the further compelling case that this message of progress is communicated not through Siegfried, the traditional male hero of the drama, but through Brünnhilde, the warrior goddess who becomes a mortal woman. In her role as a battle-tested world-historical prophet she is the true revolutionary change agent of Wagner’s opera who has the strength and vision to comprehend and thereby shape human history. This highly lucid and accessible study is aimed not only at scholars and researchers in the fields of opera studies, music and philosophy, and music history, but also Wagner enthusiasts, and readers and students interested in the history and philosophy of the nineteenth century.

How long is The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung?

The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung by Alexander H. Shapiro is 276 pages long, and a total of 70,656 words.

This makes it 93% the length of the average book. It also has 86% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 6 hours and 26 minutes to read The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung aloud.

What Reading Level is The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung?

The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung?

The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagner’s Gotterdammerung by Alexander H. Shapiro is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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