Two Envies, Too Envious

Two Envies, Too Envious

The movie Amadeus delves into a long-standing conspiracy of betrayal and murder.  I’m not going mess with the historical less-than-likeliness of the movie concerning the relationship between Salieri and Mozart.  However, one element in the movie strikes me as spot on: Mozart’s Envy. ‘Huh?  Mozart’s Envy?’ You may be asking.  True, the envy of Salieri is obvious in the overall theme of the movie.  But, I’ve not researched enough to know if this kind of envy actually burned within the opposing composer.  Nor, do I believe Salieri’s jealousy is as detrimental as Mozart’s.  Yet, the movie does display two envies.  Salieri’s, which is obvious.  And, hints at Mozart’s, a subtle suggestion of a historical reality. 

First, I will comment on Salieri’s envy.  I call this type, ‘Talent Envy.’  I’m not out to declare that any jealousy is good, but there is an element of acknowledged greatness with this type of envy.  ‘If only, I was like Mike.’  The all too often mantra declared during my teen years still echoes today.  Not only does this type of envy acknowledge greatness, it can often spur greatness.  How many young men have spent countless hours practicing basketball to become the next Michel Jordan?  Or, after hearing stories about Mozart’s prodigy while listening to his music, how many musicians created works of greatness, saying, ‘If only I had Mozart’s talent, I wouldn’t have to work so hard?’  Beethoven maybe?   Sure, there are negatives to this type of jealousy, as Amadeus eludes, but how many of these examples lead to such Salieri overreactions and cutthroat manipulations?  

The Mozartian envy, however, is arrogant, insulting and rude.  ‘Success Envy.’ Such a jealousy plagues me horridly.  Anyone with half a brain should catch the irony as he or she continues to read.  Whereas an individual suffering from Talent Envy might say, ‘If only I had (blah’s) talent, I’d…’ an individual with Success Envy would say, ‘that person is only successful because…’  Those with such a jealously believe they are uniquely superior, in whichever discipline, and the world can’t acknowledge it because it lacks intelligence.  Think about that co-worker that says if he were he charge, he’d run the place better, because no one in management as any common sense.  Or, that opinionated political guy who tells everyone what’s wrong with everything.  Or, the wannabe actors, singers, or writers that believe popular culture spews nothing but shallow drivel forced onto the masses by consumerist corporations that want to sell junk no one really needs.  Those artists are not sorry that they can’t keep up with the Kardashians. They are simply mad that everyone else is trying to.

I am not saying the ‘success-envious’ are always wrong by such assumptions.  A strong case could be made that Mozart wasn’t.  But, even when an individual is right, he or she often rubs people the wrong way. Such a person believes that the world should simply acknowledge his or her greatness regardless of the attitude with which a talent is presented.  An example from Amadeus: Salieri slaved to write a piece for Mozart.  When Mozart received it, his attitude was flippant.  And, he showed Salieri how it could be improved.  Now, Mozart’s behavior was unintentional, but it does illustrate an attitude I’ve picked up from Mozart’s letters.  I can’t help but wonder how many of Mozart’s troubles stem from his jealousy concerning perceived undeserved successes.

Of course, neither Success Envy nor Talent Envy necessarily correlates with an individual’s talents.  That is to say, immensely talented people can be plagued with self-doubt, jealous of their peers’ talents, when they may actually be more skilled than their counter-parts.  Moreover, horridly untalented individuals may believe their fecal matter should be piled on a pedestal, but ‘the man’ just keeps flushing it down the toilet.

One final element that bothered me in the movie.  In order to feed their theme, the creators of Amadeus overemphasized that Mozart was a man before his time. A man plagued by a world that couldn’t acknowledge his talents.  With the only visionary being his greatest rival.  Salieri recognized Mozart’s greatness, but refused to acknowledge it.  The movie thread its theme via suggesting that Mozart’s operas were lacking in attendance.   Whereas, I have read that they were commercial successes.  Sure, countless people agree that Mozart was not properly compensated for his talents.  I just struggle… What would have been the proper amount of compensation or acknowledgement?  And, even if he had received what we determine as acceptable, would it have satisfied him?  Or would he have simply craved more, squandering the increased finances and attention?

At times feeling under-acknowledged, I ask such questions of myself.  But, why should I?  It’s not my fault the world’s too dumb to listen to I have to say.