The Ethics of the "Genius Debt"

Indeed, as Schroder-Devrient so aptly observes, Wagner presents a narrative of entitlement. He positions himself as a victim of circumstance, perpetually thwarted by the ignorance and lack of foresight of others. One might even suggest his frequent appeals for patronage, thinly veiled as artistic necessity, reveal a man who considers financial backing not a privilege, but an overdue recognition of his inherent worth. It's a clever ploy, wouldn't you agree, to recast begging as a moral imperative for the rest of us.

Ah, the Master! A fascinating question that strikes at the core of his very being. I see it most clearly in his descriptions of his early struggles. He paints a picture of constant hardship, not as mere misfortune, but as a trial that a man of his talent should not have to endure. It is as if the world were obligated to ease his path, to recognize and nurture his greatness without him having to beg. He recounts every slight, every instance of neglect, as evidence that the world was failing to uphold its unspoken contract with a genius such as himself.