False Destiny Anonymous 12th Grade

As William Shakespeare once said “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.” In several cases this holds true, and we believe so as we are constantly searching for ways to better our futures and distinguish our destiny from those of others. The methods in which we search for such ways exist in our understanding of how cause and consequence plays out in the world. It is believed that employing kindness is a tool for receiving kindness, thus we follow a system of being kind to those who are useful to us. In Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, Antonio Salieri follows exactly this system in his treatment towards the world renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with an underlying motive of attempting to shape out his future destiny in a world without Mozart. Salieri’s bitter treatment towards Mozart in the beginning is contrasted with his false kindness and hospitality when Mozart is in need, and highlights Salieri’s recognition of employing kindness to achieve personal gain for himself. Shaffer uses Salieri’s changing treatment of Mozart to explore the idea that the role of kindness becomes increasingly more important when an individual attempts to determine and better their destiny; however, this determination can...