Ein Bruderzwist in Habsburg

A play written during the early 19th century. This tragic drama explores the intense conflicts within the Habsburg family, specifically focusing on the struggles for power and allegiance among its members, set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Bohemia and the wider Holy Roman Empire. The opening of the play introduces a tense atmosphere in Prague, where Don Cäsar, the illegitimate son of Emperor Rudolf II, confronts a court official over the wrongful imprisonment of a man accused of murder. The scene quickly escalates as Don Cäsar passionately defends the accused and protests the justice system, revealing his fiery temperament and sense of loyalty to his friends. As the unfolding conflict hints at deeper issues of power, familial loyalty, and justice, we also meet Emperor Rudolf and his brothers, each grappling with their own ambitions and relationships within the tumultuous political landscape. This initial act sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the characters' intertwined fates and the eventual descent into tragedy.