Amadeus Essay 1
Beryl H. McCray
World Literature Themes
Professor Jenkins
Essay #3
Amadeus
Antonio Salieri shared a fanciful vision of his life with his audience, in Peter Schaffer
play, Amadeus. His self-conscious, expressionistic views, not only provide the audience with
useful information, but allow a glimpse of his inner thoughts, as once a famous musician in
Vienna. The play is structured like a confession, which my explortation will reveal deep truths
about human inequality, rebellion, pride, envy, and his relentless character that may be deemed
mediocre.
Amadeus is based on the lives of two famous composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and
Antonio Salieri. The title of the play name means “God – lover” or “Loved by God” and gives a
ironic reference to Salieri relationship with God.
At the opening of the play, Mozart and Salieri have not met in person, but have heard of
the other music. Salieri is thrilled at the chance to meet Mozart at a time both composition will
be played.
Salieri cannot match the personality and the charm of Mozart with the massive genius
that God has bestowed upon him to compose beautiful music. He cannot believe God would
reject him and choose another.
Schaffer play is presented in a factual and artistic form that reveals the struggles, guilt
and need for the redemption of mankind. Redemption connotes the deliverance of man from the
enslavement of sin. Throughout the play, Salieri had been possessed by one driving desire, to
serve God through music, but he struggled with the perception of the falsehood of God choosing
another.
He is in distress with his findings that the true voice of God seems to have emanated from
his childhood. As a child, he made a pact with God vowing to give his life in exchange for fame.
One of his greatest desires was to make beautiful music, in reverence to God.
Thus, he believed God’s favor of Mozart
World Literature Themes
Professor Jenkins
Essay #3
Amadeus
Antonio Salieri shared a fanciful vision of his life with his audience, in Peter Schaffer
play, Amadeus. His self-conscious, expressionistic views, not only provide the audience with
useful information, but allow a glimpse of his inner thoughts, as once a famous musician in
Vienna. The play is structured like a confession, which my explortation will reveal deep truths
about human inequality, rebellion, pride, envy, and his relentless character that may be deemed
mediocre.
Amadeus is based on the lives of two famous composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and
Antonio Salieri. The title of the play name means “God – lover” or “Loved by God” and gives a
ironic reference to Salieri relationship with God.
At the opening of the play, Mozart and Salieri have not met in person, but have heard of
the other music. Salieri is thrilled at the chance to meet Mozart at a time both composition will
be played.
Salieri cannot match the personality and the charm of Mozart with the massive genius
that God has bestowed upon him to compose beautiful music. He cannot believe God would
reject him and choose another.
Schaffer play is presented in a factual and artistic form that reveals the struggles, guilt
and need for the redemption of mankind. Redemption connotes the deliverance of man from the
enslavement of sin. Throughout the play, Salieri had been possessed by one driving desire, to
serve God through music, but he struggled with the perception of the falsehood of God choosing
another.
He is in distress with his findings that the true voice of God seems to have emanated from
his childhood. As a child, he made a pact with God vowing to give his life in exchange for fame.
One of his greatest desires was to make beautiful music, in reverence to God.
Thus, he believed God’s favor of Mozart