Forgiveness in the Silence movie

Forgiveness in the Silence movie

The movie Silence is based on the actual persecutions in the 1600s, in Japan, targeting Christians. During that period, many people were martyred because of subscribing to Christianity ideals. Catholicism was explicitly forbidden, and these happenings are behind the production of the movie Silence. Father Ferreira is one of the leading characters who shape the plot of the entire movie. He keeps his faith in God, all through the film, and he is not easy to denounce his commitment to Christianity. He knows the consequences of practicing his Christianity in the hostile japan, but he continues teaching people on Christianity. His character and his relationship with others in the movie are essential to the development of many themes, including forgiveness.

The movie, Silence is based on spiritual content from the beginning. At the Crux of the movie lies issues concerning renunciation of faith. The Tokugawa shogunate authorities are committed to eradicating Christianity and specifically Catholicism out of Japan. One of the ways used by the authorities to have Christians renounce Christianity is by asking them to stomp on their religious implements

Rodrigues is a major character who is used to show the themes of perseverance and forgiveness. He and Garrpe disagree on whether stamping on Christian images is permissible under any circumstances. Garrpe believes that Christians have to be strong in the face of persecution that goes on in Japan. He argues that there is absolutely no reason to give in, even when subjected to the most extreme pressure to renounce Jesus. However, Rodrigues feels that if it were a matter of life and death, he would choose the former, and renounce his religion, in the hope that God will forgive him. God in the movie is depicted as being silent on this issue, something that rattles Rodrigues. He leaves priests to tackle this puzzle, and this is the inspiration of the entire movie.

Father Ferreira is another significant character who is at the center of the argument between Rodrigues and Garrpe. As the persecutions of Christians continue in Japan, word goes round that Father Ferreira had recanted Christianity and was at odds with God. It is also alleged that the father had taken a Japanese name and married a Japanese woman. Despite these allegations, Father Valignanano is doubtful. Apparently, the Catholic Church had not been in contact with Ferreira for some years. The last letter that had come from him was filled with reports of the torture and murder of Christians in Japan. Rodrigues and Garrpe cannot believe these rumors on the supposed recanting of father Ferreira, and they think it is baseless hearsay. They decide to begin a search mission for their priest so that they can find out what had happened to him. If they find that it is hearsay, then they will perhaps save him and hence help him overcome the shame.

The mission of Rodrigues and Garrpe to japan to find out the whereabouts of Father Ferreira is not an easy one. Kichijiro is the man who guides them in Japan. He looks drunk all through, and his attires are dirty. Rodrigues and Garrpe arrive at an island, with the guidance of Kichijiro. They are much aware that by just being present on the island, they are putting their lives in grave danger. Being a Christian or helping Christians expand their teachings is punishable by death, or even worse. To their surprise, the Japanese church has survived, and the hostility they expected was not to the extent they thought. However, the relationships between Kichijiro, Rodrigues, and Garrpe shapes a number of themes in the movie.

The first Japanese Rodrigues and Garrpe meet is Kichijiro. He does not unilaterally deny Christianity, and this makes Rodrigues and Garrpe think he subscribes to the religion. It is not until they reach Japan when they realize that Kichijiro was once a convert, hence his soft stance on Christianity. His family was tortured and executed at that time. Kichijiro is well aware that the authorities would ultimately pounce on him if they realize that he is helping Rodrigues and Garrpe. Though he tries to avoid being discovered by the authorities, he is at last found out, and he does the expected. He betrays Rodrigues and Garrpe to the Japanese authorities, in exchange for money or to just save himself from being executed. He thus plays a role similar to that of Judas Iscariot in the bible, who betrayed Jesus at the time of need.

Despite the constant betrayal that Kichijiro commits against Rodrigues and Garrpe and other Christians, he continued to follow Rodrigues, even after betraying him. Rodrigues is imprisoned as a result. Kichijiro later realizes his mistake, and he continually begs for forgiveness from the priest, to the extent of offering himself for imprisonment so that he can be close to Rodrigues. The relationship between Kichijiro and Rodrigues can be compared to that between Judas and Jesus. Rodrigues is torn between feeling sympathetic to Kichijiro and the feeling of betrayal. From a biblical perspective, one would wonder if Judas loved Jesus, or he was hanging around him for convenience. In the end, Rodrigues is released from prison. One thing is clear from the movie: the man who Rodrigues knows very well that he had betrayed him, is ironically his best friend, just like the Judas of the bible. This gives viewers a good reflection on how forgiveness is not an easy thing, and the fact that the biblical Jesus forgave his tormentors should not be taken lightly. Though a difficult decision to make, Rodrigues finally forgives Kichijiro. The sight of Kichijiro pleading with the priest to accept his confession makes Rodrigues believe that he can still serve God despite his betrayal to Christians. Although he is viewed as a reject by many, he still can be forgiven and serve God in different capacities.