Research Paper on:
Protagonist Bruenhilde in Richard Wagner's Das Rheingold

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
hero. Instead, it can be said that an in depth character analysis reveals just the opposite. She is Valkyrie and she is a remarkable reminder and symbol of the eternal  and never ending circle of life and love. As a central figure in The Ring, it can be argued that this is Bruenhildes story as much as it is Sigfrids.  But what determines hero or heroine status for a character? First of all, in literature, which this libretto was created from, there are some key identifying traits that a hero  or heroine tends to exhibit. First of all, the hero must be thrust into a situation or adventure that he or she cannot refuse, even if they wanted to.  This forces them to act and make sometimes rash decisions. In Bruenhildes case, her compassion for a fallen soldier brings Odins wrath upon her and she is placed into keeping  until a prince charming type comes to waken her with a kiss. This man is Sigfrid. Upon waking, Bruenhilde and Sigfrid fall madly in love (hey, it is an opera).  He tells her of his plans and because of her love she is again compelled to aid him in his quest. Ironically enough, Sigfrid is the son of the man  whom Bruenhilde had rescued on the battlefield that day. The next characteristic is that of a series of compounding obstacles which command larger than life actions. Bruenhilde knows that  with the ring that Sigfrid has it will place him in harms way. The ring belongs to Odin who wants it back so that he can rule the world once  again. When Sigfrid goes off into the world to seek his fortune he leaves the ring in her safekeeping. On one of his journeys Sigfrid befriends the wrong people. King