The film A Hidden Life, The King James Bible, and the Epithalamion by Edmund Spenser all relate to each other as a whole. In all three works, the definition of marriage is touched upon. Marriage can be interpreted in many different ways based upon one’s experiences and wisdom within. For example if someone has a positive experience with marriage they are going to endorse it heavily, but if one has a negative experience they will look down upon it. In the case, in the two works of literature and the film marriage is seen as a beautiful, sacred, and spiritual time in one’s life. The historical film, sacred bible, and Anglo-Irish poem all signify how marriage develops trustworthy relationships, intimate connections and Spiritual relations with the almighty Lord.
In the second hour of the film, A Hidden Life, the protagonist Franz, is refusing to believe in the Nazi principles. He stays very true to his thoughts and religious views and received strength to continue to do this from his wife, Franziska. Unfortunately, Franz is soon imprisoned due to his views. At around 01:40:00 in the film, it is seen that Franziska is struggling to take care of the children due to the fact that Franz is in prison. With external knowledge one could tell that it is very difficult to take care of multiple children as one parent. However, Franziska makes it happen and still supports her husband, Franz, for his views. This illustrates loyalty and trust in their marriage as things literally had reached their worst. This is similar to Luke 5:34,”and he said unto him, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”(Luke 5:34). This compares to the scene in the movie due to the fact that marriage is based upon loyalty and trust. In Luke chapter 5, this means that the attendants of the bridegroom can not fast when they are with him. In context with the movie this shows the amount of trust that is put into marriage. Marriage is a celebration of the loyalty that a couple will endure during their time alive and should be an event that is heavily celebrated. Luke chapter 5 makes it known that marriage is not just a celebration of loyalty for the bride and groom but also for the attendees of the wedding. Loyalty and trust within these two works are expanded and analyzed upon each other in a similar manner.
Next, the poem, Epithalamion compares very similarly to the movie A Hidden Life by expanding on marriage as a process more than a ceremony. This process consists of falling more deeply in love, expanding on spiritual virtues, and building trust. Further the poem reiterates this when Spenser says, “Open the temple gates unto my love”(Spenser 12:1). This alludes that the temple gates are the process that one goes through during marriage. At the end when it says “unto my love” it means that love and trust are continuing to grow as the marriage progresses. The film relates to this poem through relationship between Franz and Franziska. When Franz is jailed, Franziska continues to support his thought and continues to love him. She is tasked with taking care of the kids by herself which was rough at first but she found a way to make it work because she cares about Franz. This relationship is one that progressed positively as love and trust grew as Franz and Franziska grew. The poem and the movie relate on marriage as progression occurs through ones relationship.
Marriage within all 3 works of film/literature is seen in a similar manner. Trust, loyalty, and love are three qualities inherited within the marriage of two individuals. These qualities progress over time, creating these qualities stronger as the two individuals grow up.
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