The process of personal discovery is an intricate and often convoluted journey that takes an entire lifetime. The mystery of self-realization has been explored quite a lot in books and movies, yet The Seventh Seal seems to have addressed the topic of self-discovery most delicately. The movie shows the process of a personal realization through overcoming one of the basic fears shared by all people, namely, the fear of death. Although The Seventh Seal incorporates the elements of tricking death, which would, later on, become rather clichéd tropes, the underlying message of studying one’s fears and limitations allows delving into the study of the human nature and watching the protagonist mature emotionally.
Introducing the idea of playing an actual game with death and making it lose, The Seventh Seal explores an existential concept that would become a popular trope afterward. The fear of death is an inherent aspect of every person’s life, and reconciling with this emotion is a crucial step in one’s way too personal growth. In a certain sense, addressing the fear of death implies discovering the meaning of life. Indeed, by coming to terms with the fact that a day when one is no more will finally come, one will be able to get one’s priorities in order.
One may argue that The Seventh Seal renders the idea of actually tricking death and, thus becoming immortal. However, on closer scrutiny of the plot and the theme of The Seventh Seal, one will have to admit that the idea of winning over death is imbued with a range of additional layers of meaning, a range of which include complex philosophical notions sand allude to biblical concepts, as well as religious ideas, in general.
Thus, the idea of conquering death is shifted into the background in “The Seventh Seal,” whereas the motif of cognizing one’s self and exploring one’s vulnerabilities comes at the forefront. The key theme of the movie might be seen as slightly morbid, with the concept of dying being in the focus of the audience’s attention. However, the final message that the viewers are expected to internalize is surprisingly optimistic since it posits that embracing the fear of death allows one to become wiser and, ultimately, happier.
Thus, the importance of self-cognition is emphasized heavily throughout the movie. As the lead character laments “I want knowledge!,” one realizes that the process of embracing death and viewing it as an inevitable end to an otherwise fulfilling life helps to realign one’s priorities and become wiser (The Seventh Seal). The film functions both as a philosophical commentary on the meaning of life and a platform for one’s personal, emotional, and spiritual growth.
Despite the focus on tricking death, The Seventh Seal represents the process of emotional growth since it allows one to embrace the primal fear of death and reconcile with it, resetting life priorities and cognizing one’s nature. The movie shows quite evidently that the limitations which people impose on themselves prevent them from performing a complete self-assessment. As a result, people tend to live without questioning their needs and the cause of their unhappiness.
The Seventh Seal points to the problematic aspects of the described mode of thinking, simultaneously hinting at the possibility of different life philosophies. By being honest and direct about death with its viewers, the movie encourages people to accept their fear thereof and conquer it.
Work Cited
The Seventh Seal. Directed by Ingmar Bergman, performances by Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe, Max von Sydow, and Bibi Andersson, AB Svensk Filmindustri, 1957.