Mozart and Salieri

Main Characters and Their Development

• Mozart: In Alexander Pushkin's «Mozart and Salieri», Mozart is portrayed as a brilliant and carefree composer who creates his works with ease and joy. He is sincere, open, and trusting, unaware of the envy and malice lurking in Salieri's heart. Mozart lives in a world of music and art, unconcerned with material wealth and recognition.
• Salieri: In Pushkin's play, Salieri is a talented but envious and embittered composer. He works hard to achieve success and cannot accept that Mozart, in his view, receives everything too easily. Salieri is tormented by his envy and ultimately decides to commit the crime of poisoning Mozart. His inner conflict and struggle between talent and envy are central themes of the work.