Mozart and Salieri

Main Ideas

• The contrast between genius and envy: Mozart embodies natural talent and brilliance, while Salieri symbolizes envy and mediocrity.
• The theme of envy and its destructive power: Despite his efforts and hard work, Salieri cannot come to terms with Mozart's superiority and resorts to crime.
• Philosophical reflections on justice and fate: Salieri questions why genius is granted to one person and not another, seeking justification in his actions.
• Moral dilemma and inner conflict: Salieri is aware of the immorality of his deed, but his envy and sense of injustice prove stronger.
• The tragedy of the creative individual: Pushkin shows how envy and the inability to acknowledge another's talent can lead to tragic consequences.