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A Study of Dualistic Meaning of ‘the Sea’ in Silla Folktale : Suro and Cheoyong

  • The Research of the Korean Classic
  • 2012, (26), pp.75-104
  • Publisher : The Research Of The Korean Classic
  • Research Area : Humanities > Korean Language and Literature > Korean Literature > Korean classic prose

Seo, Cheolwon 1

1성균관대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The sea is a space from which people leave and, at the same time, origin in which others flock together. In the Silla folktale, the former is observed in the Suro Folktale while the latter case is described in the Cheoyong Folktale. This study has attempted to find out the meaning of ‘the Sea’ in Silla culture by investigating similarities and differences between the two tales and comparing them with other folktales. The similarities between Suro and Cheoyong tales are as follows: First, the existence of another world, which has an impact on reality should be removed through language texts. Second, the main character in the tale accepts the existence of another world. Third, characters’ power originates from the sea. On the contrary, the differences are follows: Suro was just a person to be saved while Cheoyong was the main character in the tale. Second, Suro returns back to the world where he belongs while Cheoyong doesn’t. Third, compared to Suro, Cheoyong is much clearer in terms of his authority and effect. Regarding the sea as a space from which people leave, the stores associated with Yeonorang Seonyeo, Amenohiboko and Tomb of King Munmu were investigated. Then, characteristics of the sea, whether or not the characters have returned and meaning of change were inferred. Then, tales associated with the foundation myth of Silla Dynasty and the Legend of Manpasikjeok were examined regarding the characteristics of the sea. Then, the meaning of heroes returned from the sea and significance of change from human to an object were investigated. A further study needs to be performed to discuss the issues above in connection with the spatial concept of the cultural history of Silla Dynasty.

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