SYNOPSIS ACT I
Scene I. The Cloisters of the Monastery of San Juste.
A
friar is praying at the tomb of Carlos V, Don Carlos´ grandfather.
Carlos is in despair because his father has married Elisabeth, to whom
he was once betrothed. The Friar´s voice reminds him of his dead
grandfather. Carlos´ great friend Rodrigo, the Marquis of Posa, enters.
Carlos confides to Posa that he and Elisabeth are still in love.
Rodrigo advises him to forget Elisabeth and take up the cause of the
Netherlands, oppressed under his father´s rule. Carlos agrees and,
after they have watched Philip II and Elisabeth pray at the tomb, they
swear undying friendship.
Scene II. A garden outside the cloisters.
The
Queen´s ladies are assembled for her return and Princess Eboli
entertains them with The Song of the Veil. The Queen returns with
Rodrigo. Under cover, he manages to pass her a private note form
Carlos, who wishes to see her. She hesitates but, encouraged by
Rodrigo, consents to the meeting. She sends her ladies away and Carlos
enters. She agrees to persuade Philip to send Carlos to the Netherlands
as governor, but cites her duty when accused of indifference to his
love. He becomes impassioned and, when she resists him, rushes off.
Philip enters, furious to find Elisabeth unattended. He exiles the
Countess d´Aremberg for negligence and the court departs. Philip draws
Rodrigo back and asks him for frank advice. Rodrigo speaks for the
Netherlands, but Philip warns him of the Grand Inquisitor. Philip
confides his suspicions of Carlos and his wife, and asks Rodrigo to
watch them. Encouraged that the King´s confidence may bring influence,
Rodrigo agrees.
ACT II
Scene I. The Queen´s Garden.
Carlos
re-reads an anonymous letter – perhaps from Elisabeth – asking him for
an assignation. A veiled woman appears and he embraces her, declaring
his love. But when she removes her veil he finds not Elisabeth, but
Eboli. His confusion persuades Eboli that it is Elisabeth he loves.
Rodrigo arrives and tries to divert her. But Eboli loves Carlos herself
and decides to reveal the truth to the King. Carlos threatens her and
they quarrel furiously. She leaves, bent on vengeance. Rodrigo wants
Carlos to give him any incriminating documents he may have. Carlos is
doubtful because of Rodrigo´s newfound favour with the King, but warily
gives him a cache of letters.
Scene II. The Square outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Atocha.
A
crowd has assembled to watch an auto-da-fe. Elisabeth and Rodrigo
arrive in procession and Philip makes a grand appearance from inside
the cathedral. Carlos leads a deputation requesting leniency in the
Netherlands, and Philip orders them to be removed. The royal party
joins in the plea, but the monks oppose it. Philip rejects Carlos as
governor of the Netherlands and Carlos draws his sword. The King
defends himself and Rodrigo, to protect his friend, demands that he
surrender his sword. Astonished, Carlos does so, and is led off under
guard. Flames rise from the stake and a heavenly voice welcomes the
souls of the burning "heretics".
ACT III
Scene I. The King´s study.
Philip
reflects on his loveless marriage and feels that he will die alone. The
Grand Inquisitor arrives and Philip asks him how to deal with his son´s
rebellion. The Inquisitor insists on Carlos´ death, and then demands
that the Inquisition interrogate Rodrigo. When he has gone, Elisabeth
rushes in, believing her jewel casket stolen, but Philip has it. He
forces it open to find Carlos´ portrait and accuses Elisabeth of
adultery. She swoons. Philip calls out and Eboli enters with Rodrigo.
As the Queen recovers, they both voice their emotional conflict. Eboli
is then left with the Queen and confesses that she gave Philip the
casket and that she has also been his mistress. Stunned, Elisabeth
orders Eboli to choose between exile and the convent. The Queen leaves
and Eboli bitterly regrets the curse of beauty that has been her
downfall. She chooses the convent, but first vows to save Carlos.
Scene II. A prison cell.
Carlos
is visited by Rodrigo, who has come to sacrifice his own life for his
friend´s. There is little time because he has arranged for the letters
to be found on his own person. An Inquisition officer steals into the
cell and shoots Rodrigo. Before he dies, Rodrigo tells Carlos that the
Queen will be waiting for him at San Juste the next day. The King
enters, but when he attempts to embrace his son, Carlos pushes him
away. A crowd storms the prison and demands Carlos´ release. In the
confusion, Eboli begs Carlos to leave and the Grand Inquisitor arrives
to quell the mob.
ACT IV
The Cloisters of the Monastery of San Juste.Elisabeth
enters to pray at Carlos V´s tomb. Don Carlos arrives, telling her that
the Netherlands, not their past love, now call him. They bid farewell,
but Philip enters with the Grand Inquisitor and his officers, and
orders both their arrests. Carlos retreats toward his grandfather´s
tomb and the friar, whom he had earlier heard prying, suddenly appears
dressed in the royal robes and regalia of Carlos V. He draws Don Carlos
into the cloister as the others watch in awe.
