Appearance vs. Reality in Peter Shaffers Amadeus Essay -- Peter Shaff

Appearance vs. Reality in Peter Shaffers A dous In the instauration of the 18th century, appearance was everything andappearance often conflicted with touchableity. Such is the case in PeterShaffers, Amadeus, which follows Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts musicalcargoner. Mozarts career was enveloped in dissimulation and falsity, appearing tobe brought on by poor choices he made, when either along he was beingsabotaged by Salieri. When Mozart arrives in Vienna, Antonio Salieri pretends towelcome him. He even writes a welcome border district for Mozart, to be playedas the young, rebellious musician enters the court. However, Salierihates Mozart from the beginning. Salieri is nice to Mozarts face, andpretends to support his career to all in all other parties concerned. Salieri is, in fact, nice to everyones face. As several officials areconversing, Salieri comments to the audience on their personality. Johann von Strack. Royal Chamberlain. A court official to his collectbo ne, Baron van Swieten. Prefect of the Imperial Library. ArdentFreemason. Yet to find anything funny... (Amadeus, 11) Saliericontinues to break in throughout the mens parley until he isincluded. Salieri is jealous of Mozarts musical ability. maculation it appears toeveryone the Salieri is the most talented musician in Vienna, he, himself,knows that Mozarts music is untold deeper than his own. Salieri ventshis jealousy when he states, We were both ordinary men, he and I. Yethe from the ordinary created legends-and I from legends greeted only theordinary (Amadeus, 63). Mozart and his wife, Constanza, are starving. They are accompaniment inextreme poverty. All of this is because of Antonio Salieri. whose plan isrevealed to the audience in his conversation with Emperor Joseph. Hesays, Then grant him Glucks post, Majesty, but non his salary. Thatwould be wrong (Amadeus, 64). He then turns around to Mozart who isangry most the payment he is receiving and says, Im sorry its madeyou angry. Id not have suggested it if Id cognize youd be distressed....Iregret I was not able to do more (Amadeus, 65). Salieri pretends that hegot Mozart as much money as he could, when in reality, he kept himfrom a great deal more. The real showing of Salieris true colors comes out in the lead fewscenes of the play. After the death of Mozarts father... .... Hate is a embitter you cannot withstand. (Amadeus, 81). Salieri got his wish for fame in the end. He reflects on this, I wasto become quite an simply the most famous musician in Europe...This wasmy declare I must endure thirty years of being called princelyby people incapable of distinguishing...I must smell as I wrote it thedeadness of my music... (Amadeus, 85). While he had what he hadalways wanted, and he appeared to be on top of the world, realityremained. He was not happy. He did not have to gift he had longwanted. And though the public praised and yelled to him, he knewexactly what it was worth. While Mozarts life appears to be a series of mistakes, and poorchoices he has made, the truth is, he was sabotaged. His life was agame for Antonio Salieri to act out his jealousies and insecurities. ButSalieri, in the end, is more infelicitous with his life without Mozart, than hewas when Mozart was alive. Works CitedAmadeus. Shaffer, Peter. Samuel French, Inc. New York. 1980.http//www.albemarle-london.com/amadeus.html. Accessed, March 15, 2001http//www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc69.html. Accessed, March 17, 2001