Zaide K. 344, Ihr Machtigen seht ungeruhrt

It seems that those watching others go through pain have a harder time with it than those actually going through it. I was watching documentary about happiness. One of the segments spoke of those finding happiness in the harshest of circumstances. One suggestion was that some simply understand they can do nothing to change their circumstance, hence they find a way to rise emotionally above it. (The theme of the cantor). While those who (many Americans) feel they have certain freedoms and/or abilities are unable to be happy because of the perceived ability to change their lot, yet their efforts grow fruitless.  Now, this isn't necessarily a selfish mentality. We often see injustice or sickness or trials facing others, and naturally we want to do something to help. We want to fight to make it right.

And, Allazim is no different from us. He sees the tortured souls of Zaide and Gomatz. Ihr Machtigen seht ungeruhrt. The music cries of a lamenting soul. 'Please don't do this to these two. I love them. Let me take their place.' As a high-ranking slavemaster, Allazim takes on Sultan Soliman. He has to take action. His conscience will not let him do anything else, even though Zaide and Gomatz have made peace with their fate. His joy will not allow him to ignore this injustice. Tyrants, bullies, or just the purely selfish can only truly trample on others if they see them as less than human. Allazim does what he can to get Soliman to see the two as something other than property.

The opera Zaide honestly reflects the struggle we all have to be happy. Mozart's own pursuit of joy weighs on the music.  I could imagine, he was trying to make himself content. 'How many people even get a chance to work within the realm of their dreams?' He may have tried to reassure himself. And, us too. At times, when, in reality, we have a pretty good lot, we look at other trials going on, and use it as an excuse to be miserable. But, is this always bad? If Allazim would have said, "Oh well. Life sucks for Gomatz and Zaide, let me just enjoy what I have?" I don't know. Where do we draw the line between passive content that does nothing versus an active joy that is not afraid to tackle problems but understands that our actions can only go so far?