A master of mystery and paradox, Wagner spent his life composing himself while composing music. Written between 1864 and 1878, the essays featured in this work converge upon Wagner's desire to define and reform German culture.

In these essays Wagner resumes his considerations of the close ties between religion and art. He calls art 'the kindly Life-saviour who does not really and wholly lead us out beyond this life, but, within it, lifts us up above it and shews it as itself a game of play.' This edition includes the full text of volume 4 of the translation of Wagner's works commissioned in 1895 by the London Wagner Society.