What thoughts run through Hans Sachs' mind in his madness monologue? What delusion has Kundry fallen into when she curses Parsifal's return to the Grail? Why does Tristan propose the Irish princess Isolde as a bride to his uncle King Marke, even though he loves her himself? These are questions that may leave some Wagner enthusiasts in a quandary. Wagner's music dramas are gripping stories about errors and insights, love and power, stemming from profound psychological portraits and idealistic societal concepts. They are complex and multi-layered, which is why their content is not immediately apparent. However, those who wish to approach Richard Wagner's stage works face a problem: relevant opera guides only describe the events superficially, while musicological essays often assume much prior knowledge.