Issues of Class

Amadeus explores aristocracy in a number of ways. There is a group of people that is seen as superior to all others. Salieri, who believes he is better than others, takes advantage of Mozart’s financial difficulties by promising to pay him a large quantity of money when the “Requiem Mass” is finished. Salieri’s Requiem is not completed because he is helpless in the wake of Mozart’s passing and unable to write further. Salieri convinces Mozart to begin working on the Requiem even after he passes out during a performance of “The Magic Flute” in his home. Salieri is also referred to as “The Patron of Mediocrity.” After Salieri gives Mozart the task of composing “Requiem Mass”, he states all the credit will be his, and God could only watch him receive fame and renown he deserves.

Salieri comes up with a complex plot that he gives to Mozart to compose “Requiem Mass”, he does this so that he can gain ultimate victory over Mozart and God. Salieri takes the easier part of transcribing, while Mozart is given the difficult part throughout the night. Salieri takes advantage of Mozart’s financial straits to avenge him, thus making him a self-centred person and an opportunist. Salieri perceives his father’s subsequent death as a grand opportunity for his dreams of being a musician and celibate which his father was against (Martel 102). This makes him a cruel person. Salieri dwells on the anticipation of admiration he gets from people of his age group and the court. This is after they give credit to the magnificent “Requiem” that he claims to have composed, the fact which is not true.

There are various artists that are expressed in Amadeus. Antonio Salieri is appointed as a court composer for Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II. Antonio also presents Mozart with “March of Welcome” when Mozart meets the Emperor, having toiled to see it happen. He wore attire similar to that Leopold used at the party. Mozart is also shown as an artist/musician, and when Salieri presents to him the “March of Welcome”, he plays it from memory. Mozart also writes down the piece given to him by Salieri, “Requiem in D minor” and also composes the “Magic flute”.

Peasantry is expressed in Amadeus through the life of Mozart and his family (Shaffer 46). The family expenses increase as Mozart’s commissions decrease, thus making him become desperate giving a chance to Salieri to take advantage of him. Mozart has to cope with the demands of “Requiem” and “Magic Flute” so as to continue getting payments from Salieri. Mozart’s extravagant lifestyle and the heavy drinking contributed to his financial problem.

The disbelief Mozart has over snubbing by Italians of Emperor’s court makes his life miserable. After Mozart’s death, his body is moved away from Vienna for burial in a mass grave. This is evident that he was a poor man and that he might probably been dependant to the state for help. Salieri had imagined that Mozart was a respected person and a genius making him to attend a performance so that he could meet Mozart. Later, he secretly found out that he was a person who lacked honour and appropriate behaviour and was also ignorant.

Works Cited

Shaffer, Peter. Amadeus. NY: Penguin Books. 2007.

Amadeus Film. 1985.