Before the beginning of the drama Tristan
had slain Morold, Isolde's lover, and sent his head to Ireland in place
of the tribute due from Cornwall. He himself had been wounded in the
fight, and when washed by the tide upon the shores of Ireland, had been
tended by Isolde. To conceal his identity he assumed the name of
Tantris, but Isolde had recognised him by a notch in his sword, which
corresponded with a splinter which she had found imbedded in Morold's
head. Finding the murderer of her lover in her power, her first impulse
had been to slay him, but as she lifted the sword she found that love
had conquered hate, and she let Tristan depart unscathed. When he
returned as the ambassador of his uncle, her love changed to indignation
that he who had won her heart should dare to woo her for another. The
scene of the first act is laid on board the vessel which is conveying
her to Cornwall. She vows never to become the bride of Marke, and
opening a casket of magic vials, bids Brangaene, her attendant, pour one
which contains a deadly poison into a goblet. Then she summons Tristan
from his place at the helm, and bids him share the draught with her.
Tristan gladly obeys, for he loves Isolde passionately, and prefers
death to a life of hopeless yearning. But Brangaene has substituted a
love philtre for the poison, and the lovers, instead of the pangs of
death, feel themselves over-mastered by an irresistible wave of passion.
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