Magic Flute - AHB

The Magic Flute was probably the most fun that I've had at the opera so far. It's a very mystical show and sort of reminds me of an Athenian drama. There are demigods on both sides of good and evil, while mortal men and women are caught in between.

One of the major contrasts drawn in the show is the between the two central men, Tamino and Papageno. I'll try and give a brief summary since I'm not sure anyone else has seen it. Both Tamino and Papageno are sent on a quest by the Queen of the Night. Their objective is to retrieve the Queen's daughter from her captor Sarastro. Both the viewer and the pair of heroes come to discover that the Queen is not all that she seems, and that it is actually Sarastro who is the wise and virtuous ruler. (Here's where the long story gets short) Tamino comes to the rescue of the princess, but he must prove himself worthy by passing several tests of his virtue and love. Papageno must also undergo these trials, but he is promised a true love, his own "Papagena", if he passes.

Both pass their respective tests, but because he is content with his bride, Papageno is not granted the wisdom that Tamino receives. Mozart is using these characters to draw the distinction between man's different natural tendencies. We see a similar type of division within Plato's Republic. Socrates argues that individuals must be treated differently according to the medals in their soul (one can either be bronze, silver, or gold). Tamino is gold, a natural prince, while Papageno would probably be a bronze because he is unable to get past his own limitations.

The idea that all men are created equal is pretty novel within the world of politics and government. The greatest problem with this phrase is that few make an attempt to define what it means. Even those who can come up with a good definition, natural rights camp, their meaning is often misconstrued and used in unintended ways. Alexis de Toqueville famous postulated that there is a natural conflict between liberty and equality, one is always gaining at the others expense. The Magic Flute provides a very interesting form for exploring this debate. One thing I do like about the ending is that both protagonists end up achieving their desires.