The Narratives of Odysseus and Seok Talhae, a Study in Maritime Culture and the Dialectic of Enlightenment:

• 발행기관: 한국영미어문학회
• 저자명: Bong youl Kim
• 간행물 정보: 『영미어문학』영미어문학 제130호, 211~239쪽, 전체 29쪽
• 주제분류: 어문학 > 영어와문학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2018.09.30

영문 초록

This article examines maritime culture and rationality by comparing the mythic narratives of Odysseus and Seok Talhae, according to the theory of “dialectic of enlightenment”. The Odyssey by Homer records Odysseus’s voyage after the Trojan War. Similarly, according to Samguk Sagi and Samguk Yusa, Seok Talhae became king of Silla after a long and arduous sea voyage. These two epic heroes represent enlightenment and rationality, since both broke from the mythical veil of older cultures. As leaders who responded rationally, they launched a world where conquest through seafaring exploits was the main interest. This rational worldview can be traced back to the sea peoples, who first appeared in the 13th century BC. Both use cunning and deceit to win. Odysseus’s later murder proves that his adventure had “the seed of death” in it. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for our contemporary crisis. Unlike Odysseus, Seok Talhae became king by respecting the pre-existing order. Thus, that myth suggests a possible transformation to a civilization of coexistence and peace.

목차

1. Introduction: Maritime Culture and the Origin of Rationality

2. Odysseus and Seok Talhae: Descendants of Sea Peoples

3. Ancient Wisdom: Rationality and Tricks

4. Toward Rationality, Tricks, and Dominance of Other Human Beings

5. Conclusion: Mythos’ Different Roads

Works Cited

키워드

maritime culture rationality Seok Talhae Odysseus dialectic of enlightenment cunning civilizational transformation