Topic Research: The Valkyrie

“Siegmund, Sieglinde and Hunding”

Painting, c. 1895, by Ferdinand Leeke

Source

For this storybook I would do my retellings to go along with the acts of the opera, which there are three of.

The first act consists of Siegmund running from enemies during a storm and finding shelter in Sieglinde and Hunding's home. It turns out Hunding is one of his pursuers and he says he can stay but they must fight in the morning. Siegmund is unarmed but Sieglinde reveals a sword that was left in the tree trunk for the man that would save her, and Siegmund is able to remove it. She then reveals that she is his sister but they also declare their passionate love for each other as the act ends.

In the second act, the twins father Wotan tells his Valkyrie daughter Brunnhilde to protect Siegmund during his fight, but the goddess Fricka demands that they be punished for their adultery and incest. After arguing over it, he agrees and tells Brunnhilde to let Hunding win. Brunnhilde tries to tell Siegmund that he will not win the fight and he refuses to go to Valhalla with her because Sieglinde can't come. So, Brunnhilde defies her father's wishes and tries to help him win but Wotan shows up and lets Hunding win. Brunnhilde rides away with Sieglinde and Wotan kills Hunding, swearing that Brunnhilde will be punished for her defiance.

In the third act, Brunnhilde tells Sieglinde she is pregnant with Siegmund's child and urges her not to take her life for the child's sake. She then sends her away with the shattered sword, and Wotan shows up to punish her. She convinces him to put her into a deep sleep and lay her atop a mountain, surrounded by fire and she will only awake when the bravest of heroes goes through the fire and saves her.

Sources: The Valkyrie on Freebookapalooza , the Wikipedia page

Reading Notes: Cupid and Psyche, Part B

(Cupid and Psyche's Wedding, by Raphael)

Yay, I love happy endings! The second half of the Cupid and Psyche unit was admittedly less interesting just because there wasn't much mystery, but I was definitely unsure if it was going to end well for the two of them.

I liked that Psyche had to complete tasks to earn her life with Cupid, and that she kept receiving help from animals or other objects that saw the ridiculousness of Venus's actions. This story also made me see Venus in a whole new light. I always saw her as this benevolent goddess who was all that is good and beautiful, but not here.

She was the epitome of a crazy mother-in-law, and exceeded every negative expectation of one. However, she ended up receding in the end (at least I assume, it didn't really mention her role after Jupiter allowed the match).

I thought it was so dumb that Psyche tried to take the "beauty." I literally rolled my eyes at that part, and said "Really?" But anyway, thankfully Cupid came to save the day.

I think that I will retell the tasks as something that the male character's mother makes the girl do to prove she is worthy, but obviously they will be much less drastic.

Looking forward to my retelling!

Bibliography: Cupid and Psyche from The Golden Ass, by Apuleius translated by Tony Kline

Reading Notes: Cupid and Psyche, Part A

(Cupid and Psyche, by Orazio Gentileschi)

Okay, I love this story so far! I have never read anything about Cupid, so this one was really interesting. I do feel bad for Psyche, she just wanted someone who loved her and I didn't fully understand why Cupid wouldn't let her see him. I guess it's something about he's a god and also because he was supposed to be ruining her life per his mother's orders, not being her lover at night.

I thought the bit with her sisters turning against her was interesting, it reminded me of the ugly stepsisters in Cinderella. It seems there is a common theme of sisters turning against each other in fairy tales, or even just girls in general. 

I think this is part of the story that I will use in my retelling.

I'm not sure how I would retell the deal with Cupid. They're married but she can't see him and can only be with him at night. Maybe in the retelling it could be something like, a couple that is forbidden to see each other and they only get to be together at night, and when someone, maybe the girls sisters, figures it out they try to sabotage it. 

I don't really think I will use the beginning of the story at all, the one before the actual story starts. I also don't think I'll use the whole Psyche not being sought by anyone and the parents being distraught. 

I think I'd like to set this in another time period, but I'm not sure when yet. But I think one where people were much more separated by their class than they are today, and perhaps the reason the couple in my retelling can't be together is because they are from such different backgrounds and one of their families (the better off one) wouldn't allow it. 

I'm looking forward to reading Part B! :)

Bibliography: "Cupid and Psyche" from The Golden Ass, by Apuleius and translated by Tony Kline