Amadeus: genre

Amadeus: genre

Genre Overview

  • “Amadeus” by Peter Shaffer is typically classified as a historical drama, but is also considered a psychological study.
  • It blends fictional and non-fictional elements to explore themes of envy, creativity, and the divine.
  • Despite the 18th-century setting, Shaffer uses modern language and conventions, making the play a modern morality tale.

Historical Drama Features

  • The play utilises real figures from history: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri.
  • The timeline, which approximately spans a decade, is based on historical events.
  • The language, manners, class stratification and clothing provide an authentic depiction of the 18th century Viennese Court, which can be analysed for performance, direction and design decisions.
  • However, many events and characterisations are imaginatively reinterpreted or exaggerated for dramatic effect. The ‘poisoning theory’, around which much of the drama revolves, has been debunked by historians.

Psychological Study Features

  • The story deals with individual characters’ inner conflicts, obsessions and psychologies.
  • The play portrays Salieri’s internal struggle with his own mediocrity and his jealousy of Mozart’s unattainable talent. This struggle between admiration and envy is central to the play.
  • “Amadeus” also explores the theme of man’s relationship with God; Salieri feels betrayed by God when He bestows genius on the crude, childish Mozart.
  • The play is narrated by an older, repentant Salieri, providing insight into how he views his own actions in retrospect.

Modern Morality Tale Features

  • The exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas (e.g. dealing fairly with others despite personal jealousy) fits the genre of a morality tale.
  • Despite its historical setting, “Amadeus” explores timeless themes. It makes us question the fairness of God’s gifts and the value society places on art and artistry.
  • The “hero-villain” dichotomy normally found in morality tales is muddied here, pushing us to consider the more complex nature of morality.
  • The language and style of the play has modern sensibilities and resonance, despite its historical setting.