Knight of Cups | Our Eternal Quest for Meaning - Kierkegaard's Existentialism

Summary

In *Knight of Cups*, Terrence Malick explores existential themes through the journey of Rick, a screenwriter caught in Hollywood's hedonistic lifestyle. Drawing on Søren Kierkegaard's philosophy, the film delves into the loss of self and the quest for meaning, symbolized by the *Hymn of the Pearl* and the tarot card of the Knight of Cups. Rick's relationships with women reflect his existential despair, and the film's fragmented structure emphasizes life's elusive meaning. Through stunning imagery and non-linear storytelling, Malick invites viewers to contemplate the struggle between the finite and the infinite in the search for truth and purpose.

Takeaways

• 😀 Malick's *Knight of Cups* is part of a trilogy, including *To the Wonder* and *Song to Song*, known for its experimental filmmaking style involving improvisation and metaphorical imagery.
• 😀 The film draws on the *Hymn of the Pearl* from the Acts of Thomas, using it as a metaphor for losing oneself and searching for meaning, much like the prince in the story who forgets his identity.
• 😀 Existential philosophy, particularly the works of Søren Kierkegaard, is central to the film, exploring themes of despair, the finite versus the infinite, and the quest for purpose.
• 😀 Rick, the protagonist, is a screenwriter lost in the hedonistic world of Hollywood, reflecting Kierkegaard's concept of existential despair caused by an imbalance between the finite and infinite aspects of life.
• 😀 The *Knight of Cups* tarot card, used in the film's structure, symbolizes a person who has lost his sense of purpose and is stuck between reality and fantasy, seeking fleeting pleasures.
• 😀 Malick uses unscripted and fragmented storytelling, where the narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, mirroring the disjointedness of Rick's life and existential journey.
• 😀 Rick's relationships with women represent his projections of existential longing and his search for meaning, yet they are doomed to fail because he places unrealistic expectations on them.
• 😀 The desert imagery in the film symbolizes Rick's existential void, with the light on the horizon representing the elusive search for a higher meaning or clarity.
• 😀 The film's cyclical nature, where Rick repeatedly falls in and out of love, underscores the unfulfilled nature of his quest, emphasizing the continuous struggle to find true meaning.
• 😀 The film culminates in a philosophical message about faith, where Rick's suffering connects him to something greater than himself, reflecting Kierkegaard’s concept of the Knight of Faith who relates to the infinite through a leap of faith.

Q & A

What is the central theme of *Knight of Cups*?

The central theme of *Knight of Cups* revolves around the search for meaning and self-identity in a chaotic, hedonistic world. The protagonist, Rick, struggles with existential despair as he grapples with his relationships, career, and his sense of purpose, ultimately seeking a connection to something greater than himself.

How does *Knight of Cups* relate to the concept of existential despair?

The film explores existential despair through Rick’s disconnection from his true self and his obsessive pursuit of fleeting pleasures. His inability to find lasting meaning or satisfaction reflects the existential despair described by Kierkegaard, where one becomes overwhelmed by the infinite potential of life but is unable to reconcile it with finite, concrete reality.

What is the significance of the 'Hymn of the Pearl' in the film?

The 'Hymn of the Pearl' serves as a metaphor for Rick's journey of self-discovery. It tells the story of a prince who forgets his true identity and purpose, much like Rick who loses himself in the superficial world of Hollywood. The prince's eventual awakening and return to his father symbolize Rick’s quest to reconnect with a higher sense of meaning.

How does Malick's filmmaking style contribute to the film's themes?

Malick’s experimental style—shooting with minimal scripting, heavy improvisation, and metaphorical imagery—mirrors the fragmented nature of Rick’s journey. The lack of traditional narrative structure reflects the disjointedness of Rick's search for meaning, making the film feel more like a subjective experience of life itself.

What role does the concept of faith play in *Knight of Cups*?

Faith is crucial to the film's resolution, as it represents a way for Rick to reconcile the tension between the finite and the infinite. The film suggests that finding meaning requires a leap of faith—not a rational belief, but a subjective movement toward something transcendent, which can help overcome existential despair.

How does the tarot symbolism, specifically the Knight of Cups card, relate to Rick’s character?

The Knight of Cups card in tarot represents someone who is overly idealistic, emotionally driven, and caught between reality and fantasy. This symbolism reflects Rick’s character, who is lost in his pursuit of transient pleasures and disconnected from a deeper sense of purpose, embodying the qualities of the card in his search for meaning.

What philosophical ideas from Søren Kierkegaard influence the film?

Kierkegaard's philosophy, particularly his ideas about the self and existential despair, profoundly influence *Knight of Cups*. The film explores the idea that the self is not a fixed entity but an act, defined by its relationship to both finite and infinite aspects of life. Rick’s struggle reflects the existential crisis Kierkegaard describes, where one’s inability to reconcile these opposing forces leads to despair.

How does Rick's relationship with women reflect his existential struggle?

Rick’s relationships with women symbolize his search for meaning and wholeness. He idealizes them, placing his existential burden on them, expecting them to provide closure or fulfillment. However, because they are finite human beings, they can never live up to his expectations, which leads to the continual failure of his relationships and deepens his despair.

What is the meaning behind the recurring desert imagery in the film?

The desert imagery represents Rick's inner emptiness and spiritual desolation. It highlights his sense of being lost or disconnected from meaning, with occasional glimpses of light or hope that remain elusive. The desert reflects the ongoing struggle and the cyclical nature of Rick’s search for purpose.

What does the final scene of the film suggest about Rick’s journey?

The final scene, where Rick seems to find peace but is then faced with clouds obscuring the light, suggests that the quest for meaning is ongoing and never fully resolved. It emphasizes the continual nature of the struggle and the elusive nature of true fulfillment, reinforcing the idea that the journey towards meaning is more important than any final destination.