The second act, in which the lovers meet, and the third act, during which Tristan longs for release from the passions that torment him, have often proved puzzling to opera-goers unfamiliar with Schopenhauer's work.
Anden akt, hvor de elskende mødes, og tredje akt, hvor Tristan længes efter udfrielse af sin pine, har ofte forvirret et operapublikum, der ikke kender Schopenhauers arbejde.