Tosca

This is a classic tragedy that rivals Romeo and Juliet for intensity and irony. The story begins in a church in Rome, the Sant' Andrea della Valle! A painter (Mario) is busy painting Mary Magdalen. His friend (Cesare) rushes in and begs Mario to help him hide--he is a political prisoner who has just escaped from Castel' Sant' Angelo. While the two friends are talking, Mario's lover (Tosca) knocks at the door of the sacristry, asking Mario why the door is locked, and who he is talking to. She is jealous and suspects Mario may be seeing another woman. Later, the Police Chief (Carlo) uses Tosca's passion for Mario to trick her into telling him where Cesare is hiding. In exchange for Mario's life Tosca agrees to submit to Carlo. The story ends tragically because neither Carlo nor Tosca keeps their word.