Post a response to this discussion thread
In response to 153423jk...(9th_gate) posted on 06/19/00,
I agree that the character of Dean Corso passes through the all nine gates, although your chronology is a bit off.
The first engraving (I) seen is of a Knight on horseback riding towards the castle with the inscription 'SI.VM E.T AV.AM' which is translated be the character Boris Balkan to read 'Silence is Golden'. The significance being the number of towers within the castle de Purvert in southern France featured in the final scene of the movie. All the important engraving baring the engravers mark of "LCF" (Lucifer) as adapted from the Delamonicon
The second engraving (VI) to be seen in the movie is of the Man hung by one leg that scene Bernie Orsteen is found murdered by Corso as to being demonically crucified symbolized by the crossing of the legs.
The third engraving (III) in the film is of the Archer, which indeed does resemble the Ceniza brothers. The significance is of course the scaffolding falling like arrow from the skies.
The fourth engraving (II) in the film is of the hermit representing the character of Victor Fargess. From him Corso is given the "Key to unlocking the secret of the book. His is now able to compare the engravings and discover their deviation... Here now he has the key to enter the game represented by the labyrinth, and of course the fool represents him. This is depicted in the fifth engraving (IIII).
When Corso goes to see Barrenness Kessler, he shows her the two engravings (I & VII) key (the variations within the engravings) thus the pupil outshines the master; Kessler being the master (King) and Corso being the pupil (peasant) playing chess (VII) The sixth engraving (VIII) seen in the movie is the Franciscan monk and the knight holding a mace. This represents Corso being struck from behind while studying Barrenness Kessler's copy of the Nine Gates in her library. Note: the halo represents the "albino man" as seen at the beginning of the fight sequence along the river Seine. The Great Dane seen after the burning Barrenness Kessler’s library probably represents either Lucifer or the "The Girl" In regards to the "The Girl" represents a witch acting as a sentinel guarding the Ninth Gate. The statements make by Boris Balkan during his lecture on witchcraft. He states that: "…A witch is a person who though cognizant of the laws of God, endeavor to act through the medium of a pact with the devil…" She appears to be an oracle for her Master, as she orchestrates the course events by casting spells that determine Corso’s fate… One may assume that once entering the Ninth Gate Corso has reached the next level or another ethereal plane. And it may be consider the next level of the game.
The fifth engraving (V) (not shown in the film) is of an old bearded man sitting, and counting a sack of coins. He is in the presence of a hooded skeletal figure that holds in one hand an hourglass and in the other holds a pitchfork. This probably represents Liana Telfer/ St. Martin and Andrew Telfer. For it was Mr. Telfer whose money was used to restore his wife’s chateau and to purchase the "Nine Gates" for her. The elements of the engraving are symbolized by the hourglass being of ones time on earth and the pitchfork, the harvesting of a soul or ones fortune.
The final engraving(s) (VIIII) one is of the sentinel sitting on the back seven headed serpent, and flames rising from the castle in the background. The Ceniza brothers forged this engraving; then Corso discovered the authentic ninth engraving upon his return to their abandoned bookstore. The second ninth engraving depicts the sentinel/witch pointing the way towards an unearthly/ethereal emanating from within the castle.
The Solution to Ninth Gate Enigma: (According to Boris Balkan)
I. TO TRAVEL IN SILENCE,
IIII. BY A LONG AND CIGURITOUS ROUTE.
III. TO BRAVE THE ARROWS OF MISFORTUNE,
VI. AND FEAR NIETHER NOOSE NOR FIRE.
VII. TO PLAY THE GREATEST OF ALL GAMES AND WIN.
V. FORGOING NO EXPENSE…
VIII. IS TO MOCK THE FLISITUDES OF FATE,
II. AND GAIN, AT LAST THE KEY
IX. THAT WILL UNLOCK THE NINTH GATE
Here is my take on the symbolic meaning of the last scene of the Ninth Gate… Dean Corso is allow to continue "The Game", and as Balkan put it " I am (now Corso) entering uncharted territory, taking road that leads to equality with God." Dean Corso is the first worthy opponent in three and a half centuries to play the Devil’s Game. And the "Game" continues to this day!
Bibliography:
1. The Ninth Gate, dir. Roman Polanski, perf.
Johnny Depp, Lena Olin, Frank Langella, James Russo, and Jack
Taylor, Artisan Entertainment, 2000, ISBN # 0-7840-1181-8
2. Arturo Pe´rez-Reverte, The Club Dumas, trans. Sonia Soto,
1st ed.(Florida: Harcourt Brace, 1996), ISBN# 0-15-100182-0
Internet sites:
http://www.ninthgate.com
http://www.media-culture.org.au/reviews/screens/9thgate-
c.html
http://www.popmatters.com/film/reviews/n/ninth-gate.html
http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/n/ninthgate.htm
Post a response to this discussion thread