Film studies (Term Paper Sample)

Name Course Instructor Course Date Existentialism as Portrayed in the Seventh Seal Introduction This paper examines existentialism as shown in the Seventh Seal, a 1957 film with significant relevance to modern human society. The Swedish movie written and directed by Ingmar Bergman explores the boundaries between theism, existentialism, and nihilism. Existentialism is a philosophical inquiry regarding human existence's meaning, value, and purpose. It holds that there is no real meaning to life and people are at liberty to create their sense of meaning and well-being. The philosophy started in the 19th century; it gained traction in the 1930s and increased in popularity in the mid-20th century. Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, is one of the earliest figures associated with this approach (Webber 7). This study applies a qualitative research design to gain insights from secondary information sources. The movie the Seventh Seal is a crucial source of information. In addition, data from literature sources such as books, scholarly articles, and peer-reviewed journals provide the information used to develop inferences in the report. The paper also uses content analysis to identify common themes, opinions, and ideas that show how the Seven Seals depict existentialism. Existentialists believe that people are born without purpose into a world that does not make sense. Therefore, the core objective of existentialism is finding one’s essence and purpose to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. Wilson (15) indicates that human existence is accidental or subject to change. Additionally, there is no explanation for life's purpose and meaning apart from what human freedom creates. According to Wicks (9), everybody can create a sense of peace and meaning. The control over people's choices and actions are crucial in underpinning the freedom propagated by existentialism. Wilson (13) holds that to exist fully, one must live according to their convictions. In addition, societal restrictions limit people's potential and inhibit free will. Therefore, people's decisions and actions influence the authenticity of their existence and their ability to create meaning out of what they do. Analysis Death is a critical concept of human life, and its depiction in the Seventh Seal underscores the film's aim and direction. According to (Webber 17), the question of death and suffering is central to the meaning of life and human existence. Therefore, death following Antonius from the crusade and on his journey home brings about the concept of the search for life meaning from a primary source. It is crucial to understand that the knight had fought in the crusade for ten years but was unsatisfied. He felt that he had wasted part of his life and lacked purpose in life now that the war was over (Bragg 3). Having been in a war he did not believe in and finding his country plunged by a plague, Antonius questioned his God. He sought to hear from God and therefore find meaning for his actions. In the confession to death, it is evident that the Knight was in an existential crisis (Holmberg 97). He felt stuck as he tried to understand his purpose in life and the meaning of his existence. Antonius showed his discontentment with how he had lived his life in the confessional booth and indicated that it was pointless. The knight wondered how he would remain separate from his people as they experienced darkness and suffering. He also pointed out that he wanted to perform a meaningful deed to make amends for his existence and purpose in life (Wicks 7). These elements laid the foundation for the theme of existentialism throughout the film, as they are the primary aspects guiding the knights' thought processes and actions.   Religion and especially the Christian faith are predominant throughout the film.  The Knight's belief in God brings out a tug of war as he questions his existence amid the suffering. His role in a crusade which meant fighting for his faith and the effects of the plague in his home country, made him question the meaning of life. He wondered how God would allow suffering and death to so many people. Bragg (4) posits that the knight looks to answer some existential questions that plague his mind by seeking knowledge and eliminating other rationales. The church procession, for example, shows the relationship between religion and suffering. The flogging parade interrupts a group of merry caravan actors, with the Christians inflicting suffering on their bodies and wailing (Holland 268). It brings to light the tragedy of human ignorance and further dents Antonius' conviction towards faith in his God. He is also intrigued by the religious zealots who instigated the crusade and yet wants to burn an innocent woman as punishment for alleged witchcraft. Furthermore, a theologian turned thief wanted to rape a mute girl, and this broke the Knight's heart (Kartal 82). With such horrors at hand coupled with the plague, Antonius was disappointed in his God and thus chose to get a better perspective on life.  Like all existentialists, the Knight seeks knowledge and immortality, which are infinite and unattainable. Antonius's desire to understand life sees him tap into a vain quest with no end. He seeks rational knowledge and answers to life from death. For example, Antonius claimed that he does not need faith since God does not reveal himself as expected; in its place, he wanted knowledge (Wicks 5). He had admitted that “I live now in a world of ghosts, a prisoner in my dreams” (Stubbs 69). Death told Antonius that God might not exist, prompting him to ponder the sheer horror of emptiness and nothingness surrounding his life. In retrospect, Antonius seeks to make sense of his life by assigning meaning to everything. However, his efforts are futile as he strives for an unreachable goal borne out of human nostalgia. Disillusioned by the effects of the plague in his country Antonius found it difficult to hang on to his Christian faith (Stubbs 63). It is crucial to note that existentialism counters rationalism by developing rationales that solve the problem of meaning. Therefore, Antonius’s dilemma and questioning of faith amount to searching for meaning, and thus existentialism is the primary theme in the film (Kartal 84). Existentialists seek to understand the absurdity of human existence, providing insights into the conflict perspectives between humans and the universe (Webber 111). Similarly, the protagonist sought life meaning since the crusade’s aftermath, and the situation in his home country baffled him. It is crucial to note that the search for the meaning of life has prompted people to adopt divergent viewpoints, and existentialism is one of the approaches. Antonius is torn between his inability to believe in God and dissatisfaction with unbelief (Bragg 7). It resonates with existentialism which holds that existence is the problem of being. The knight complains about God’s frustrating elusiveness and presence in his inner being as he cannot be able to shake off his core beliefs. "Why must he always hide behind unseen miracles and vague promises and hints about eternity?" He rants in the confession box (Bergman 1). The scene brings to light the turmoil within Antonius and his need to understand why he exists. He goes further to enquire why he cannot kill the God within him. The question of God’s existence makes no sense in Antonius’s mind, hurting his soul to the core. In this situation, the knight seeks irrational explanations since he faces impotence of reason (Kartal 85). Agnostic existentialism is evident in this scene since the main protagonist does not see a viable rationale to explain his existence and life situation (Bragg 11). The protagonist’s thoughts, actions, and life questions show that he is focused on finding purpose in a meaningless life at all costs. Antonius also wonders why God lives inside him; he claims that instead of revealing himself to him, God finds pleasure in mocking and tormenting him, and he has no rest. He also posits that “even though I curse him and try to tear him from my heart, why does he remain a reality, a maddening actuality I cannot get rid of?" (Bergman 1). The questions evoke Antonius’ radical individualism, alienation, and despair which are crucial tenets of existentialism. This scene was crucial in showing Antonius’s thoughts and plight. His sentiments portray his agnostic existentialism meaning that the knight’s truth is subject to what he chooses to act upon (Wicks 12). Antonius’s surrender to his inter-subjective space also influences his confession and feelings towards the situation. He later realized that instead of speaking to a priest, he had confessed to a grim reaper (Holmberg 97). This interaction with the personification of death made the knight reveal his game plan, and therefore death had the upper hand in the chess duel. The knight sought to understand life's meaning from death’s perspective and, at the same time, extend his lifespan. It resonates with the existentialists’ concept of the essence of being, with death being the primary hindrance to realizing potential (Wicks 23). Therefore, Antonius’ chess game with death was an essential part of understanding his life purpose, getting answers about God’s existence, and finding meaning in his presence. Suffering, death, and the quest for life purpose further exacerbate the absence of meaning in human life (Wicks 8). The film revolves around the concept of man’s spiritual doubt and complete lack of faith in a higher deity. Understanding these concepts in relation to the subject of human existence requires a different rationale from the one offered by theism and nihilism. This aspect resonates with the main plot in the film. Death hinders the freedom of will to choose one’s destiny. The Knight's interaction with the personification of death resonates with the existentialists’ omnip...