@article{ART003210591},
author={KIM, BYUNGJOON},
title={Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’},
journal={Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University},
issn={1598-3021},
year={2025},
volume={82},
number={2},
pages={139-185},
doi={10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139}
TY - JOUR
AU - KIM, BYUNGJOON
TI - Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’
JO - Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
PY - 2025
VL - 82
IS - 2
PB - Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
SP - 139
EP - 185
SN - 1598-3021
AB - In the Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), several individuals are featured in the combined memoir (合傳, hezhuan). Although these appear to be independent memoir of separate individuals, there are organic connections among the figures within each combined memoir. Sima Qian highlighted the distinct characteristics of each individual through a narrative technique of mutual comparison within the combined memoir. In contrast, the categorized memoir (類傳, leizhuan) are arranged not according to chronological sequence but are concentrated near the end of the Shiji, because they are designed to reveal enduring human types that transcend time.
The “Memoirs of the Assassins” (刺客列傳) is a categorized memoir that unfolds around the theme “a knight dying for the one who recognizes him” (士爲知己者死), featuring five assassins from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. However, unlike other categorized memoir, this chapter is positioned between the “Memoir of Lü Buwei” and the “Memoir of Li Si.” This placement indicates that Jing Ke is the central figure of the “Memoirs of the Assassins.” This paper examines how the “Memoirs of the Assassins” constructs a narrative structure in which Jing Ke plays the leading role, while the other four assassins serve as supporting characters. Their stories are intricately interwoven to unfold the theme of Jing Ke’s failed attempt to assassinate the King of Qin.
Sima Qian attributed the failure not to Jing Ke’s swordsmanship, but to the lack of trust between Crown Prince Dan and Jing Ke, the prince’s clumsy planning and impatience, his interference, and his lack of resolve.
In particular, Sima Qian emphasizes that even at the crucial final moment, when the original plan had collapsed, Jing Ke did not carry out the assassination as the prince intended, but instead attempted to threaten the king. By portraying this in detail, Sima Qian underscores that the failure should not be attributed to Jing Ke’s martial skills. To support this interpretation, Sima Qian constructs a narrative structure that systematically contrasts the stories of the four other assassins with that of Jing Ke.
KW - Sima Qian;Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian);Memoirs of the Assassins;Jing Ke;Crown Prince Dan;Cao Mo;Zhuan Zhu;Yu Rang;Nie Zheng
DO - 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
ER -
KIM, BYUNGJOON. (2025). Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 82(2), 139-185.
KIM, BYUNGJOON. 2025, "Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’", Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, vol.82, no.2 pp.139-185. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
KIM, BYUNGJOON "Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 82.2 pp.139-185 (2025) : 139.
KIM, BYUNGJOON. Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’. 2025; 82(2), 139-185. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
KIM, BYUNGJOON. "Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 82, no.2 (2025) : 139-185.doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
KIM, BYUNGJOON. Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 82(2), 139-185. doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
KIM, BYUNGJOON. Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University. 2025; 82(2) 139-185. doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
KIM, BYUNGJOON. Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’. 2025; 82(2), 139-185. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
KIM, BYUNGJOON. "Protagonist and Supporting Characters in the Categorized Memoirs of Shiji: A Narrative Analysis of the ‘Memoirs of the Assassins’" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 82, no.2 (2025) : 139-185.doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.139
