Amadeus: sub-text

Amadeus: sub-text

Understanding Sub-Text

  • The concept of sub-text in “Amadeus” refers to the unspoken thoughts, motives and emotions of characters that are not directly expressed in the dialogue but hinted at or suggested.
  • Sub-text often provides a deeper, more profound understanding of characters and situations, increasing the richness of the narrative.

Sub-Text in Salieri’s Narration

  • The play is narrated by Salieri, and a significant part of the sub-text emerges from his narration, revealing his hidden thoughts, ambitions, insecurities and motivations.
  • His monologues provide deep insight into his inner world and struggles, forming a crucial part of the narrative’s psychological realism.

Sub-Textual Elements in Character Interaction

  • The interaction between Salieri and Mozart is laden with sub-text. Salieri’s public admiration for Mozart’s work contrasts with his private resentment, creating dramatic irony.
  • Sub-text also governs Mozart’s interaction with other characters. For example, his seemingly disrespectful behaviour often hides his struggle with his father’s overbearing influence and his own desires for independence.

Sub-Text and Themes

  • Sub-text helps in communicating the play’s major themes such as jealousy, rivalry, and the conflict between mediocrity and genius. These themes are implied more often than they are explicitly stated, relying on sub-text to convey them.
  • This technique allows for a more nuanced and layered portrayal of these complex themes, moving away from overt depiction towards a more sophisticated and subtle exploration.

Sub-Text through Symbolism and Music

  • Symbolism and music are also significant providers of sub-text; they reflect the characters’ emotions and psychological state, suggest plot developments, and reveal thematic concerns.
  • For instance, the music played in the play holds sub-textual meanings representing the conflict between Salieri’s methodical composition style and Mozart’s sublime genius.

Importance of Sub-Text for Actors and Directors

  • Recognizing and understanding the sub-text is crucial for the actors and directors in staging a believable and authentic performance.
  • They must not only deliver the literal text but also convey the undercurrents of unexpressed feelings and thoughts to make the characters and situations relatable to the audience.