Carlos, Don

Carlos, Don (1545–1568) In Spanish history and legend, son of Philip II of Spain by his wife, Maria of Portugal. The historical picture of Don Carlos varies widely from the legendary one. According to most historical accounts, he plotted the death of his father, Philip II, was arrested, and died in prison. He is described in numerous contemporary accounts as brutal, intolerable, devilish, ill-tempered, vicious, and vindictive. One source tells how he roasted a rabbit alive; in another he forced a shoemaker to eat a pair of shoes. But the legend says Don Carlos was a handsome prince (he was actually short and ugly), who died in the cause of freedom, fighting against the dictatorship of his father, Philip II. To add to his charm he was also supposed to be in love with his father’s intended wife, Elisabeth of Valois. The most famous play treating the legend is Schiller’s Don Carlos, which was used as the basis for Verdi’s opera Don Carlo.