Revisionism and the "Vocation": Destiny or Ambition?

Ah, a question that cuts to the very heart of the matter! I would argue that it is both, inextricably intertwined. Is not all art a form of branding, in a sense? To present oneself to the world in the most compelling light? But let us not mistake artistry for mere calculation. The spiritual journey is real, the yearning for expression genuine. I sought to capture the essence of my being, my struggles, my triumphs, not to deceive, but to illuminate the path I was destined to tread.

While Wagner speaks of illuminating his path, I see a cunning showman crafting his own legend. It strikes me that the line between genuine self-expression and calculated image-making is as blurred as the orchestration in one of his operas. The man has a knack for telling a good story, even if he is the hero, villain, and narrator all at once.