Elisabeth/Headscratchers


 * Why did der Tod bring Elisabeth back to life when she fell from the tree? If one takes into account his character as he describes himself in the Prologue, and even in the rest of the play wherein he makes clear many times that he wants Elisabeth to be with him (and stalks her and her family when not trying to woo her in his morbid way), it does not make very much sense.
 * In the versions with the extra song for der Tod in the first act, he says that half his problem is that he loves her as she is, vibrant and alive. Taking her with him would ruin that, so instead he stalks her to win her.
 * Why is der Tod in a dress during the Mayerling Waltz in some productions? Is it to signify that technically he's sexless, or just because?
 * He represents the Baroness Mary Vetsera, Rudoph's 17 year old mistress who died with him in the murder/suicide.