Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ingmar Bergman's 'Seventh Seal'," by Robert Duncan, is a deeply contemplative poem that draws inspiration from Bergman’s iconic film to explore themes of human suffering, existential dread, and the quest for meaning in the face of overwhelming despair. Duncan uses the film as a lens through which to examine the spiritual and emotional crises that define the human condition, juxtaposing images of innocence and corruption, hope and desolation.

The poem opens with a reflection on the figure of Jesus, portraying him in three distinct aspects or ages. The first is "the child Jesus innocent of Jerusalem and Rome - magically at home in joy," symbolizing purity and untouched happiness, a state from which human beings derive their "inner persistence." This depiction of Jesus as a child suggests a foundational innocence and potential for joy that underlies human existence.

The second age, as illustrated by Bergman, presents a stark contrast, filled with "image after image of anguish, of the Christ crossed" and the plagues that metaphorically and literally afflict humanity. Duncan describes these afflictions vividly, drawing parallels between the physical sores of plague victims and the spiritual wounds inflicted by human cruelty and indifference. The imagery of Christ's suffering and the "crown of whose kingdom tears the flesh" evokes the deep pain and sacrifice embedded in human history, questioning the nature of salvation and the price of spiritual kingdom.

Duncan probes the existential questions that arise from such suffering: "What possibly protects us from the emptiness, the forsaken cry, the utter dependence, the vertigo?" These questions reflect the core of human vulnerability and the fear of meaninglessness that pervades existence, particularly in times of crisis. The poet reflects on love as a potential but often unattainable refuge, where many are "stranded" at the edge, unable to find solace or escape from their existential dilemmas.

The depiction of Christ's "second face," his evil or Other, introduces the concept of duality within the divine and within humanity itself—pain, sin, and contagion that spread through and characterize "our age." Duncan critiques the "malignant stupidity of statesmen" and the destructive forces of "War, stupidity and fear" that dominate the societal landscape, echoing the tumultuous and foreboding atmosphere of Bergman's film.

The resolution of the poem, however, is not one of despair but rather a resigned acknowledgment of human limitation and vulnerability. The speaker imagines throwing himself down "as the clown does in Bergman’s Seventh Seal," seeking shelter with his family "under the storm." This act of hiding and hoping for the Angel of Wrath to pass over is a poignant symbol of human fragility and the primal instinct to protect and find comfort in loved ones amidst chaos.

Duncan closes the poem by juxtaposing the act of throwing oneself into happiness and creating "an age of our own" against the backdrop of the roaring Pestilence and the "empty riders of the horror." This contrast between seeking personal joy and the inescapable horrors of the world encapsulates the poem's exploration of the tension between the individual's quest for meaning and the often indifferent, chaotic nature of the universe.

Overall, Duncan's poem is a profound meditation on the existential challenges faced by humanity, deeply informed by Bergman's filmic narrative, and rich with biblical and historical symbolism. Through this poetic exploration, Duncan engages with the universal themes of suffering, hope, and the human condition in a contemplative and evocative manner.

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