Analysis of Amadeus

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Once upon a time, heroes were identified as people who fought and slayed monsters while saving mankind. However, the definition of a hero has changed dramatically over time. Now, a hero can even be an ordinary everyday person. Even though their appearances may have changed however, there is still a pattern, a so called “archetypal hero.” Such can be seen in Mozart, in the movie “Amadeus.” Mozart, although he does not look or acts like a hero, is undisputedly a hero. In the beginning of the movie, he is portrayed as an extremely vile creature, and yet, with great musical talent. As the movie progresses, Mozart transforms and his personality grows to fit his great musical talent.

In the beginning of the movie, Mozart, while possessing great musical talent, is a bawdy impish jokester. When Salieri, the narrator of the movie first sees Mozart, Mozart is running on the floor with a girl, telling boorish jokes. He is angered by Mozart’s behavior, and believes that this was god’s way of mocking him-by giving him the ability to understand music, and yet using such a vile creature as his instrument. This is also proof that Mozart is an archetypal hero. Such behavior is proof of his unusual birth, which is a trait of archetypal hero; Mozart’s behavior is the result of a pampered childhood in an aristocratic family, where he was denied nothing. He also shows exceptionally rude behavior in front of the cardinal when the cardinal attempts to chastise him for being late to the performance; he opens the doors to the cardinal’s room before taking a bow outside to his crowd of admirers to deliberately show his behind to the pope. However, Mozart also shows that he possesses great musical talent. When he hears his music being played wi...

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...il the end of the movie. At the end however, when Mozart passes away after writing his final, most inspiring piece of music, people finally appreciate his genius, and realizes they had lost a genius of their time.

In conclusion, Mozart in “Amadeus” shows the transformation of an Archetypal hero, and therefore fits the description of an archetypal hero. He comes from an aristocratic family, has great musical talent, proves himself through his talent, and during his life, becomes one of the greatest composers of all time, and at the end of his life, finally appreciated for his genius. Recently, the world does not understand such potential is in all of us, we simply do not try to bring it out. Everyone should take a step back from their busy lives, and as Michael Fowlin said, “do what we should do instead of what we are supposed to do.”

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"Amadeus"

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