Re: Don Carlos - Schiller

<<Thanks very much for this. Question: How IS Carlos meant to be seen,
do you
think, by Schiller?

I can accept stupidity as one possibility, but at least
in this performance, what came across was that Carlos was never really,

would never really have been, suited to be Emperor, or really anything,
-
he was terribly immature and living in a world of phantasy if you will.
You
can't believe for a second that, even if he'd got to Ghent, he would
have
done anything right - the American phrase, at least, is that he has his
head
up his ass. It's not a "realistic" idealisim that he has, but a kind of

narcissistic idealism - "If *I* were Emperor, everything would
magically
turn out all right." I don't think it's stupidity, and although we're
meant,
I guess to feel that his love for Elizabeth is finally a redeeming
love,
that MAY be all he has going for him, but even that love seems
narcissistic
to me - the last scene with Elizabeth doesn't really ring true.

In the opera, or in the play? They are very different, I will
illustrate this by quoting, as briefly as I can, the final scene from
the play. The main difference resides in the fact that, in the play, he
talks mainly of Posa and his intention to spend the rest of his life
commemmorating Posa's sacrifice, trying to be worthy of him...
<<Carlos. ...- Ich habe
In einem langen, schweren Traum gelegen.
Ich liebte - Jetzt bin ich erwacht. Vergessen
Sei das Vergangne! Hier sind Ihre Briefe
Zurück. Vernichten Sie die meinen. Fürchten
Sie keine Wallung mehr von mir. Es ist
Vorbei. Ein reiner Feuer hat mein Wesen
Geläutert. Meine Leidenschaft wohnt in den Gräbern
Der Todten. Keine sterbliche Begierde
Theilt diesen Busen mehr.
(Nach einem Stillschweigen ihre Hand fassend.)
Ich kam, um Abschied
Zu nehmen - Mutter, endlich seh' ich ein,
Es gibt ein höher, wünschenswerther Gut,
Als dich besitzen - Eine kurze Nacht
Hat meiner Jahre trägen Lauf beflügelt,
Frühzeitig mich zum Mann gereift. Ich habe
Für dieses Leben keine Arbeit mehr,
Als die Erinnerung an ihn! >>
(For a long time I lived in a heavy dream;I was in love; now I have
woken. Let the past be forgotten. I am returning your letters - please
destroy mine. Don't fear any further outpourings of emotion from me.
That's all over. A pure fire has transcended my passion - my feelings
are in the grave with the dead. My bosom no longer feels any earthly
emotions.
[Takes her hand, after a short silence]
I came to say farewell - Mother, now I see that there is a higher, more
desirable good than possessing you. A short night has spurred my
growth, brought about an early maturity. I have no further task in this
life other than remembering HIM)>>

He then goes on to say that Elisabeth with always be sacred to him
because she was the only witness to his friendship with Posa.
<<Sie waren unsers Bundes einzige
Vertraute - unter diesem Namen werden
Wie auf der ganzen Welt das Theuerste
Mit bleiben. Meine Freundschaft kann ich Ihnen
So wenig, als noch gestern meine Liebe
Verschenken an ein andres Weib - Doch heilig
Sei mir die königliche Wittwe, führt
Die Vorsicht mich auf diesen Thron. >>

(You were the only witness to our bond- because of this you will always
be the dearest in the world to me. I can no longer offer you even
friendship, although yesterday I could have offered love to no other
woman - but if Providence places me on this throne, the royal widow
will be sacred to me.)

So in other words, in the PLAY his love for Elisabeth has ceased to be
narcissistic and self-absorbed - but of course he doesn't get the
chance to test his new-found maturity.
Leonora

.

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