Game For Antonio Salieri example essay topic

Appearance vs. Reality Amadeus by Peter Shaffer In the world of the 18th century, appearance was everything; and appearance often conflicted with reality. Such is the case in Peter Shaffer's, Amadeus, which follows Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's musical career. Mozart's career was enveloped in deceit and falsity, appearing to be brought on by poor choices he made, when all along he was being sabotaged by Salieri. When Mozart arrives in Vienna, Antonio Salieri pretends to welcome him. He even writes a welcome March for Mozart, to be played as the young, rebellious musician enters the court.

However, Salieri hates Mozart from the beginning. Salieri is nice to Mozart's face, and pretends to support his career to all other parties concerned. Salieri is, in fact, nice to everyone's face. As several officials are conversing, Salieri comments to the audience on their personality. "Johann von S track. Royal Chamberlain.

A court official to his collarbone,"Baron van Sweeten. Prefect of the Imperial Library. Ardent Freemason. Yet to find anything funny... ". (Amadeus, 11) Salieri continues to interject throughout the men's' conversation until he is included.

Salieri is jealous of Mozart's musical ability. While it appears to everyone the Salieri is the most talented musician in Vienna, he, himself, knows that Mozart's music is much deeper than his own. Salieri vents his jealousy when he states, "We were both ordinary men, he and I. Ye the from the ordinary created legends-and I from legends greeted only the ordinary" (Amadeus, 63). Mozart and his wife, Constanta, are starving. They are living in extreme poverty. All of this is because of Antonio Salieri. whose plan is revealed to the audience in his conversation with Emperor Joseph.

He says, "Then grant him Gluck's post, Majesty, but not his salary. That would be wrong" (Amadeus, 64). He then turns around to Mozart who is angry about the payment he is receiving and says, "I'm sorry it's made you angry. I'd not have suggested it if I'd known you'd be distressed... I regret I was not able to do more" (Amadeus, 65).

Salieri pretends that he got Mozart as much money as he could, when in reality, he kept him from a great deal more. The real showing of Salieri's true colors comes out in the last few scenes of the play. After the death of Mozart's father, he began having dreams in which a masked figure appeared to him. Salieri here, reveals the final steps to his plan, "Failing in mind and spirit, he was frantically trying to finish the Mass before that figure should return!

... And I must confess the wickedest thing I did to him. So shameful I can hardly speak of it even now... A design -- childish, cruel beyond all justifying -- to hasten the man towards madness or even death. Unable to stop myself, I got me a clock of grey -- yes -- and a mask of grey. And appeared myself to the demented creature as the figure from his dreams.

Yes! I, Antonio Salieri, First Royal Kappelmeister to the Empire, stalked in this guise through the freezing night, into that dingy alley where he lived. Stationed myself beneath his window. And waited". (Amadeus, 79) Mozart sees him standing below his window, and invites the ghastly figure up to his room. Salieri begins "tramping up the stairs with feet of stone" and enters the place where Mozart lives.

The poor musician is half-mad and ranting about his incomplete Mass. The conversation continues... "Mozart: ... Is it not good? Salieri: What else would it be?

Mozart: Signore? ... Signore... Salieri? Why? It's a game, yes?

... Good game! ... Has it been you, all the time?

Salieri: All the time: yes... All the time. Ten years. Ever since you came here. Ever since that moment in the library, when I first tasted it.

Your sublime poison. Mozart: Poison? Salieri: We are both poisoned, Mozart. I with you -- you with me. Mozart: I don't understand...

Salieri: Everything! ... All the ruin in your life, all the failures -- your misery here in this city, where you should be ruling now as sovereign -- I did it all. Mozart: Signore, I don't know what you are saying... Poison... ?

Salieri: You are poisoned, my friend. Believe it. Hate is a poison you cannot withstand! ... ". (Amadeus, 81) Salieri admits to Mozart, just a few days before Mozart's death, that Salieri is the reason for all of his failure.

It appeared to be bad luck, or lack of discipline on Mozart's part. No one knew the truth... that Salieri was at fault for all of Mozart's hardship. Salieri says, "The death certificate said kidney failure, hastened by exposure to cold... ". (Amadeus, 83). Mozart did not die of kidney failure.

He was driven mad by the masked figure. He had been reduced to destitution, and simply let go of his life. (Amadeus, 81). Salieri got his wish for fame in the end. He reflects on this, "I was to become quite simply the most famous musician in Europe! ...

This was my sentence! I must endure thirty years of being called "distinguished " by people incapable of distinguishing! ... I must smell as I wrote it the deadness of my music... ". (Amadeus, 85).

While he had what he had always wanted, and he appeared to be on top of the world, reality remained. He was not happy. He did not have to gift he had long wanted. And though the public praised and shouted to him, he knew exactly what it was worth.

While Mozart's life appears to be a series of mistakes, and poor choices he has made, the truth is, he was sabotaged. His life was a game for Antonio Salieri to act out his jealousies and insecurities. But Salieri, in the end, is more unhappy with his life without Mozart, than he was when Mozart was alive.

Bibliography

Amadeus. Shaffer, Peter. Samuel French, Inc. New York. 1980.
web Accessed, March 15, 2001 web Accessed, March 17, 2001.