Squire Jöns is easily the film’s most existential character. Largely, it is he who causes Block to question his faith. Jöns is indifferent to God, hell, women, pain, etc. He says life is “hell with women and hell without.” He acknowledges only emptiness during and after death. And, he refers to Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Ghost as mere “ghost stories.” In addition, Jöns “believes” that “love is the blackest of all plagues,” and it is useless to provide help/pity for the dying.
Much like Jöns serving as the symbol and catalyst of Block’s doubt, writer/director Ingmar Bergman similarly showcases symbolism throughout the film. For example, Death is an inescapable, tangible tactician who is impossible to outwit. Love is many things including a woman’s means of manipulating the male psyche. God is labeled “an idol of human fear,” and the game of chess is more importantly a “respite to perform a vital errand.” Mia and Jof (Swedish versions of Mary and Joseph) hope their baby boy will one day do an “impossible trick” — making Mikael a possible savior successor. Most interestingly, a bowl of milk reminds all that life is delicate and should be handled with care. With that said, cradle this Bergman classic “as carefully as a bowl of milk.”
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