In act III, Calaf vows to capture Turandot's heart. He has bought himself some time by offering to die (releasing her from having to marry him) if she discovers his name/identity.
In order to learn Calaf's identity, "unrelenting" Turandot tortures the slave girl from Calaf's palace. The slave girl, Liu, has a different plan in mind.



When Liu kills herself out of love for Calaf, the princess is surprised to see such devotion.
Later, Calaf finds Turandot and tells her he is going to kiss her.
When he kisses her, her heart turns towards him. This part doesn't ring true, no kiss can do that. But I think it's just a symbol standing in for attraction and losing control. She does explain that she felt he was different from the start and that scared her.

And also: "in your eyes shone the light of heroes."
She tells him to go, but he doesn't. Instead he tells her his name and identity so that his fate is in her hands.
The "great trial" begins and Turandot declares that she knows his name. The audience is sad to hear this as it means certain death to Calaf. But then she says his name is Love. The ending scene has one last surprise.
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