This article purposes to examine how the images of poems of Li Bai, the poet of Tang Dynasty, has been received and transformed in the poems of Cha Chonro, the outstanding poet of the Mid-Chosun Dynasty(朝鮮中期). ‘Terrapin(鼇)’, as a typical image, has b ...
This article purposes to examine how the images of poems of Li Bai, the poet of Tang Dynasty, has been received and transformed in the poems of Cha Chonro, the outstanding poet of the Mid-Chosun Dynasty(朝鮮中期). ‘Terrapin(鼇)’, as a typical image, has been used in many Korean or Chinese poems since Qu Yuan(屈原)'s Tianwen(天問). But Li Bai was the first that image of Terrapin got free from typical usage and produced brand new meaning, while being used as a fixed personal symbol. Terrapin as a main image of Cha, originates from poems of Li Bai. This image was originalled related to fairy tale, but Li and Cha converts it into metaphor to real world.
Terrapin image in poems of Li indicates persons to be eliminated like villainous retainers, mean persons, rebels. So, catching terrapin(釣鼇/斬鼇), which is often seen in poems of Li, means to catch those threaten the nation and harm people, eventually accomplish state of peace all over the world. And Li compares himself to a giant of the Kingdom of Longbai(龍伯之國) sweeping away a mob of Terrapin.
Cha's Terrapin images are related to his critical recognition of real world too, so is linked to Li's Terrapin image. But Terrapin image in the poems of Cha, not only limited to metaphor of villains, but sometimes used as contrary meaning. Terrapin, in the poems of Cha, is not an object, but is connected to the subjectivity of the poet, especially his ability that is underestimated in the real world. So, catching terrapin(掣鼇/斬鼇) are both pride of his ability and anger for his misfortune at the same time. ‘fisher(釣)' in the poems of Cha, is not confronted with Terrapin, and Terrapin ultimately is free of negative meaning. Terrapin sometimes are varied into Terrpin's back(鼇背), which is related to a space of Sanshenshan(三神山) which Terrapin is carrying on the back, implies unfair reality from the other side. Thus, Terrapin image in the poems of Cha, is not restricted in reception of Li's poems, but has advanced to individual variation.
Key words: the Mid-Chosun Dynasty, Cha Cheon-Ro, Li Bai, Terrapin, Image, Reception, Variation