I read "The Seventh Seal" and didn't understand

Adelbert 2022-03-21 09:01:40

I watched "The Seventh Seal" in Swedish, the film is black and white, from 1957. I think I didn't understand it. I searched all over the Internet, and there were many voices that I couldn't understand.
But if you really don't understand it, you can stop here. But I still want to say something about what I don't understand.

Because a good movie is a form of existentialism, and there is no need to justify it. Quite simply, it reflects reality, or refraction.

The most likely understanding is that this is a film of religious philosophy, reflecting the struggle or negotiation of life and death.

Because the film is in black and white, just like the style and music of Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon" and "Red Dead Redemption", I really like the style. Silence and contemplation are often expressed in this style of film, and in this way, the wisdom of the audience is exerted.

I want to find some traces from the history of Sweden that can understand this film, but I found that Sweden is no longer the Sweden in Viking mythology, it is a Sweden that has been influenced by Christian God and obeys the orders of the Pope, the messenger of God in the world. Expedition to Sweden as the Crusaders, this is a Sweden in miniature of the whole of Europe in the context of the fourteenth century.

I want to find out from the history of Swedish, because Swedish is very nice, and there is always the sound of "de" rubbed out, which is stiffer than English, but very firm. In the face of death, firmness is what the author and the audience want to express most without hesitation. In fact, this has nothing to do with Swedish. But the Nordic people's religious beliefs are as firm and fearless as the barbarians. Goths - barbarians, is it easy or difficult for religion to tame them?

In the chess game with the God of Death, it started with firm confidence to win, but in the end it was a complete defeat. Returning with disgust and exhaustion from the Crusades, returning to his hometown and seeing the god of death wreaking havoc has to be said to be a heavy blow to his abilities and his passionate beliefs. Perhaps because everyone is equal in the face of death, and there is no difference due to innocence or occupation, this makes people who face the god of death settle their dissatisfaction and give up resistance.

It is impossible to live forever, it is better to give up faith and dance with the god of death. - I think that's what the ending means.

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Extended Reading

The Seventh Seal quotes

  • Antonius Block: From our darkness, we call out to Thee, Lord. Have mercy on us because we are small and frightened and ignorant.

    Jöns: [bitterly] In the darkness where you are supposed to be, where all of us probably are... In the darkness you will find no one to listen to your cries or be touched by your sufferings. Wash your tears and mirror yourself in your indifference.

    Antonius Block: God, You who are somewhere, who must be somewhere, have mercy upon us.

    Jöns: I could have given you an herb to purge you of your worries about eternity. Now it seems to be too late. But in any case, feel the immense triumph of this last minute when you can still roll your eyes and move your toes.

    Karin, Block's Wife: Quiet, quiet.

    Jöns: I shall be silent, but under protest.

  • Witch: Look into my eyes.

    [the knight meets her gaze. They stare at each other for a long time]

    Witch: What do you see? Do you see him?

    Antonius Block: I see fear in your eyes, an empty, numb fear. But nothing else.

    Witch: No one, nothing, no one?

    Antonius Block: [shakes his head] No.

    Witch: Can't you see him behind your back?

    Antonius Block: [turns around] No, there is no one there.