Don Carlos and Mary Stuart, two of German Literature's greatest historical fiction dramas, deal with the timeless issues of power, freedom, and justice. Dating from 1787 and 1800 respectively, one play was written immedi...Don Carlos and Mary Stuart, two of German Literature's greatest historical fiction dramas, deal with the timeless issues of power, freedom, and justice. Dating from 1787 and 1800 respectively, one play was written immediately before the French revolution, the other in its aftermath.