A divine rivalry

As each sweet note floated from the orchestra, Antonio Salieri entangle his observet breaking. The composition was perfect each note was flaw slightly position and perfectly layered upon each other.The mastery Amadeus possessed was something, Salieri could not fetch achieved in a thousand biographytimetimes. From its title, it would appear that Peter Shaffers take to the woods Amadeus is about the gifted composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, yet the story is truly that of Antonio Salieri, court composer to the conglomerate of Austria, the most successful young musician in the city of musicians.When Salieri showtime hears Mozarts music, it exercises him on a different path than the one he intended. He says, I had heard the voice of God-and that it issued from a creature whose give birth voice I had also heard-and it was the voice of an obscene child. (19)It is his jealousy of Mozarts gift and his feelings of mediocrity that lead to both workforces downfall. A comparison of bot h characters volition illustrate that despite Salieris tone-beginning to live a virtuous life his desire to destroy Mozart in a divine state of war prevailed over his reverence to God and his music.Comparing some(prenominal) aspects of the two mens lives, their devotion, careers, the role of women, and the public versus private record of their actions, and the madness that consumes them both will demonstrate the similarities that existed between the rivals.Both Salieri and Mozart are men of devotion. The link is their music. Salieri believes that music is Gods art (7) and uses his gift to answer God. Salieri had promised to lead a chaste life in order to celebrate God and he feels God betrays him by blessing Mozart with such talent.Throughout his life, he has done his best to remain virtuous and yet in his attend God has shown him that he is mediocre and has bestowed a gift upon a soldiery he feels is morally inferior.In Act I, Scene 12 he declares his war on God, saying F rom this time on we are enemies. Mozarts life of devotion was also to music. He shares his feelings on music and the divine with Salieri, I bet you thats how God hears the world. Millions of sounds ascending at once and alloy in His ear to become an unending music, unimaginable to us. (57)However, Mozarts devotion isnt purely celestial. He is also extremely devoted to his father. He served his fathers wishes, even waiting to be married. It is Salieri who convinces him to ignore them and marries Constanze. When Leopold dies, Salieri counsels the grieve Mozart who feels as if his lifestyle was a betrayal against his father. Mozart says, He watched me for all my life and I betrayed him. (69)Salieri seizes this moment, convincing Mozart he has his best interest at hear and telling Mozart he will help him find work season undermining him at every attempt. Now having won his trust, Salieri convinces him that he should write his vaudeville The Magic Flute based on his association with Th e Freemasons.Knowing this is Mozarts brook tie to society, he realizes how this will ultimately ruin the small-arm. His shattered corporate trust leads him to such a drastic choice and Mozart is helpless in his plot.Appearance plays a role in both Salieris and Mozarts life. Salieri initially lived less extravagantly, whereas Mozart flaunted his wealth and success often living above his means. Once Salieri reigns himself to his jealousy, he too becomes consumed in flaunting his wealth denying his taste for plain things. Schaffer comments on Mozarts appearance throughout the play.Through the stage directions, he tells us Mozart was a small, pallid, large-eyed man in a showy wig and a showy set of clothes. As Salieris story progresses, Mozarts clothing becomes to a greater extent and more garish in Salieris eye. As Mozarts life lento unravels, his clothing becomes shabby and less important. Throughout the play Salieri has condemned Mozart for what he will ultimately become.