Shaw, George Bernard: The Perfect Wagnerite, IMP, v.1, 12 Nov 2007.
 

The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung’s Ring (1883)

A commentary on Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, analysing it in Marxist terms.

Shaw says:
“This book is a commentary on The Ring of the Niblungs, Wagner’s chief work. I offer it to those enthusiastic admirers of Wagner who are unable to follow his ideas, and do not in the least understand the dilemma of Wotan, though they are filled with indignation at the irreverence of the Philistines who frankly avow that they find the remarks of the god too often tedious and nonsensical.”


I have added a picture – Aubrey Beardsley’s ‘Wagnerites’ – and a ToC.

Spelling etc.
I have corrected obvious typos but otherwise have left the text alone. Shaw’s spelling is somewhat eccentric (he went in for spelling reform). He says Bakoonin: I say Bakhunin. He says Schopenhaur: I say Schopenhauer. And Mime becomes Mimmy (!)