Psychological Implications and Themes in Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal”
THE SEVENTH SEAL
“The Seventh Seal” by Ingmar Bergman, which draws its title from the Book of Revelation in the Bible, is a profound meditation on life, death, faith, and doubt. The title itself is a direct reference to Revelation 8:1, which you’ve cited:
“And when the Lamb had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”
This passage is significant as it marks the conclusion of the Lamb’s (often interpreted as Christ) opening of the seven seals, which unleashes various apocalyptic events upon the world. The specific mention of “silence in heaven about the space of half an hour” signifies a dramatic pause before the final series of divine judgments is meted out on humanity, represented by the trumpets of the seven angels.
Existential and Metaphysical Silence: In the film, the “silence” can be seen as symbolic of the silence of God, a central theme. The protagonist, Antonius Block, a knight returning from the Crusades, is haunted by this divine silence, which deepens his existential crisis, his fear of death, and his possible non-existence of an afterlife.
The approach of Doom: The angels’ preparation to sound their trumpets can be interpreted as the impending doom and the inevitability of death, which are recurrent themes throughout the film. Antonius Block’s journey and his attempts to delay death by challenging Death to a game of chess mirror humanity’s attempts to stave off the inevitable, seeking meaning and signs of divine presence in the face of oblivion.
Reflection on Human Actions: The film uses the allegory of the Seventh Seal to explore how individuals confront their mortality and seek redemption and meaning in their lives, especially when faced with the ultimate certainty of death. The characters in the movie represent various responses to this condition, ranging from despair and denial to faith and acceptance.
Symbolic of Human Struggle: The narrative pause in the biblical text, where there is silence before the final judgments, reflects the moments in human life where one pauses to reflect on existence, morality, and the afterlife. Bergman’s film depicts this through the knight’s introspective quest, dialogues with Death, and interactions with other characters who all embody different aspects of humanity and its concerns.
Theological and Philosophical Inquiry: The film delves into theological and philosophical inquiries about faith, the absence (or silence) of God, and the moral responsibilities of individuals. It challenges the viewer to think about the role of faith in a seemingly indifferent universe and how individuals search for meaning in times of despair.
“The Seventh Seal” remains a powerful allegorical exploration of human fear, the search for existential meaning, and the confrontation with death, encapsulated metaphorically through the biblical imagery of the opening of the seventh seal. The film encourages a contemplative engagement with life’s most profound questions, making it a timeless piece in cinematic and philosophical discussions.
Ingmar Bergman’s upbringing in a devoutly religious and strict household, as described in his autobiography “Laterna Magica,” offers a significant context for interpreting his work, including “The Seventh Seal,” through a psychoanalytical lens. Given the harsh disciplinary measures implemented by his father, a conservative minister, and the sensory-rich environment of the church that captured his imagination, Bergman’s films can be seen as explorations of existential and theological crises—reflecting his own inner conflicts and early experiences.
Psychoanalytical Interpretation of Bergman’s Motifs and Themes
- Early Childhood Trauma:
Bergman’s experiences of being locked in dark closets for minor infractions like wetting himself could have led to a profound sense of isolation and abandonment. Psychoanalytically, these experiences may have contributed to an internal worldview where authority figures are both feared and questioned, a theme that permeates much of his work, including the portrayal of a silent or absent God.
- Loss of Faith and the Search for Meaning:
Bergman’s loss of faith at a young age, coupled with his intellectual and emotional alienation from religious dogma taught by his father, might reflect the themes in “The Seventh Seal” where characters grapple with the silence of God in the face of suffering. This can be interpreted as Bergman’s personal confrontation with a universe that no longer provided the protective, nurturing love one might expect from parental figures, especially the maternal figure he may have found lacking.
- The Church as a Sanctuary and Prison:
The church, with its “mysterious world of low arches, thick walls, the smell of eternity,” represented a sanctuary filled with imagery that fueled his imagination. However, this same space was associated with the fear and tyranny of his father’s discipline. The duality of the church as both a place of wonder and a place of punishment could reflect Bergman’s conflicted feelings towards his parents and his broader existential views. The church as a symbol might be seen as a maternal space that is both protective and oppressive, mirroring his complex relationship with his parents.
- Art as an Escape and Re-creation of Self:
Bergman’s early interest in theatre and film and his use of a magic lantern to create his own world can be seen as a psychoanalytic response to his unmet needs for security and affection. The creation of these private worlds offered him control and a sense of safety, allowing him to process and perhaps escape from the harsh realities of his upbringing. This creative control might also be seen as a way to repair and restore the lost nurturing love, aligning with Melanie Klein’s notions of art as a reparative process.
- Reinterpreting “The Seventh Seal”:
In “The Seventh Seal,” the knight’s quest can be reinterpreted as Bergman’s own search for existential security in a universe where the protective love of a parent—or God—is absent. The knight’s journey and his challenges reflect Bergman’s personal struggle with divine silence and the moral and existential isolation it entails. The chess game with Death can be viewed as an allegory for Bergman’s attempts to negotiate with and understand the existential ‘rules’ imposed by his upbringing in an emotionally and spiritually constraining environment.
Through a psychoanalytical lens, “The Seventh Seal” and other works by Bergman can be understood as deeply personal explorations of his early experiences, traumas, and his journey towards self-understanding and coping with a world devoid of the unconditional, protective love that a child might expect from parental figures. His films become a canvas not only for exploring these profound themes but also for working through his own psychological conflicts and traumas, offering viewers a rich tapestry of existential questioning and a quest for meaning in the face of life’s ambiguities.
Ingmar Bergman’s films have been extensively analyzed through various psychological and psychoanalytical perspectives, including explorations of his childhood experiences and their impact on his cinematic work. Scholars and critics have frequently examined the themes of existential anxiety, spiritual doubt, and interpersonal relationships in his films, often linking these elements to his personal life, particularly his complex relationship with his father and his early experiences within a rigid religious upbringing.
Psychoanalytical Interpretations of Bergman from Other Scholarly Work
Father-Son Dynamics:
The authoritarian figure of the father and his often conflicted relationship with this figure are recurring themes in Bergman’s films. For example, in “Fanny and Alexander” (1982), the bishop, as a stepfather, represents a strict, punitive authority figure, mirroring the harsh disciplinary approach Bergman experienced from his own father. Analysts often explore how these dynamics influence the portrayal of authority and rebellion in Bergman’s films.
- Search for Meaning and Faith:
Films like “Winter Light” and “Through a Glass Darkly” are part of Bergman’s trilogy that deals directly with the silence of God—a theme that resonates deeply with Bergman’s reported loss of faith at a young age. Critics and scholars often interpret these films as cinematic reflections on his struggles with spiritual emptiness and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe, suggesting a personal narrative parallel to his creative output.
- Maternal Absence and Familial Relationships
Although less discussed than paternal themes, the role of the mother and the search for nurturing are also present in his films. For instance, in “Persona,” the complexities of female identity and the intertwining of maternal roles are explored in depth. Psychoanalytic interpretations might view these themes as reflective of Bergman’s subconscious efforts to grapple with his perceptions of maternal figures and their emotional availability.
- Therapeutic and Cathartic Aspects of His Films:
Bergman himself described his filmmaking as a form of therapy, a means to deal with personal demons and psychological issues. This therapeutic aspect suggests that his filmography can be viewed as a prolonged self-psychoanalysis session, where he worked through issues of existential dread, loneliness, and family dynamics, common themes in psychoanalytical literature.
- Influence of Early Childhood Experiences:
Bergman’s early fascination with theater and magic lantern shows and his need to create and control a world of his own making are often analyzed as mechanisms to cope with and escape from his strict upbringing. This perspective is supported by his autobiographical reflections and his deep, lifelong engagement with both theater and film as forms of expression and exploration of the human psyche.
References
- “Psychoanalytic Perspectives on the Films of Ingmar Bergman” – This collection presents a contemporary Freudian-Lacanian assessment of Bergman’s work. It is noted as the first to bring together this unique psychological perspective on Bergman’s films. The volume contains psychoanalysts, scholars, and filmmakers’ essays illuminating Bergman’s films through Freudian and Lacanian lenses. This book can be found on platforms like Routledge and Taylor Francis.
- “Ingmar Bergman – Cinema and Media Studies” – This entry in Oxford Bibliographies offers a comprehensive overview of Bergman’s work and includes references to psychoanalytic interpretations, among other scholarly discussions. It provides a structured guide to the key academic texts and perspectives on Bergman’s films.