A lot of Chinese characters are appeared in Korean ancient literary works. According to the Chosun Dynasty literature history, Chinese characters are met more frequently in Korean ancient literary works after Imjin-war and Byungja-war, and two wars we...
A lot of Chinese characters are appeared in Korean ancient literary works. According to the Chosun Dynasty literature history, Chinese characters are met more frequently in Korean ancient literary works after Imjin-war and Byungja-war, and two wars were the opportunities for the people of those days to enhance the recognition of Chinese literary works.
Chinese characters in Chosun Dynasty literary works are classified into three types;
1) characters to transcend time and space
The people of the days favored characters to be symbolic of peaceful reign, faithful retainers, literary men, filial sons and daughters, men in retirement, and women to lead their chaste lives, above time and space.
2) characters to be associated with personal lives
Authors of Chosun Dynasty literary works tried to identify the specific Chinese characters by naming in their works with themselves(or a specific person) to bring their lives into relief. For examle, Chung-chul tried to appear his high ambition of Kangwon-province-governor by the character 'Keubjangu’ in his Kwandong-byulgok. And Park-Inro tried to associate the character 'Changju?Kulik’ by naming in <NOGYEGA> with him, who was content amid poverty and took pleasure in honest acting. And Hyekyungkung Hong tried to appear the filial devotion of the King Chungjo to compare Myungje(the Han Emperor) to the King Chungjo. Myungje(the Han Emperor) went with honor to Jangreung(Kwangmuje royal tomb) with Eumhwangtaehu(Eumhwang Queen Mother).
3) characters to reflect their days
Chinese characters in Korean ancient literary works were recreated newly in the reality of those days after Imjin-war and Byungja-war. That is because social phenomenon of the latter Chosun Dynasty was reflected closely in the literary works.
Park-Inro who went through Imjin-war resented 'Hunwonssi’ who made battleships, as the people of the days who went through Byungja-war adored 'Kulwon’ and 'Awhang Yuyung’ more.