The storyline of Amadeus was plagued with elements of competition, pride, talent, entitlement and arbitrary beliefs which ultimately composed the core theme-Identity. Seen most exclusively between Herr Mozart and Salieri, clashing identities formed feuds, which resulted in tragedy- Salieri, a gifted musician in his own right, wants nothing more than to praise God to exalt him with his music. But instead God choses Mozart- An insulant impenitent child to be his musical regent on earth. Salieri feels he has no choice not to only turn his back on God, but to actually punish God by killing Mozart, an act accomplished by driving the drunkard to work himself to death.(Sholder, Adam)
Salieri’s identity was consistent with the Holy Virtues, …show more content…
And now suddenly, without warning -Mozart” (Shaffer, 20). Shortly after Wolfgang Mozart’s arrival to Vienna, the two musicians’ personalities began to clash, creating a prematurely spoiled environment. Both musicians felt a pressing inclination to assert themselves and their rankings in order to establish the superior composer; in which only promoted Salieri’s self deprecation and Mozart’s egotistic behaviour. Mozart’s growing arrogance and narcissism caused him to lose a considerable amount of pupils and ultimately his wealth when claiming pupils were nothing more than a waste of time and his manuscripts were what really brought him opportunity for redemption (clearly not). As consequence of Salieri’s behaviour, Mozart’s identity or personality initially demonstrated as contemporary, established and pure (despite his promiscuity and disregard for other characters’ feelings). “In Prague, Mozart was a genuine popular success, but in Vienna, where he spent the last ten years of his life, he was merely one …show more content…
...The boy! (Shaffer, 107) … … And then-any feelings still left uncorrupted in me rose up, crying ‘End this! Before its too late…Confess! Confess to him…Get him whatever absolution he can possibly grant. He- he alone-the creature you have broken... How else can you live on after?’ “(Shaffer, 107)
From that point on, Salieri’s anguish and shame grew sending him spiralling into psychological distress. “The symbolism is archetypal; the psychological arc from hatred to guilt to repentance to reconciliation is paradigmatic; the aesthetic circle tidily closed” (Sullivan, William).
More relevant elements of identity present throughout Amadeus are those of talent and persistence- “There are those born with innate talents and abilities[Mozart] and there are those who cultivate their talents with hard work, dedication and determination[Salieri]” (Sholder, Adam) This concept often baffles Salieri when he feels he deserve Mozart’s raw talent- that perhaps he would wear the blessing better. Salieri often hopes his determination will trump the natural ability to compose music as effortlessly as Mozart, however, time after time, Salieri does not yet amount to Mozart’s abilities. “But the question remains; can hours of practice and persistence ever equal the natural born gifts that some are blessed to receive?” (Sholder, Adam) – to Salieri’s disbelief, no,