<휘찬여사> 「열전」에 나타난 홍여하의 역사인식

Abstract

The biography of Hong Yeoha states that the compilation of the <Hwichanyeosa (彙纂麗史)> was completed in 1639. However, it took about 20 years to compile this book. A comparison with the Biography (Yeoljeon) of the <Goryeosa (高麗史)> reveals that while Hong Yeoha’s book included sections dealing with Confucian scholars such the Yuhakjeon, Takhaengjeon, Hanginjeon and Munwonjeon, it did not include sections on Gongju (Princess) and Yeolnyeo (virtuous woman). This reflected the spread of Neo-Confucian ideology and the growing interest in Confucian scholars and Confucianism during the 17th century. Each entry of the Biography section included the principles of description at the beginning. The number of volumes in this book only amount to one-third of the volumes found in the <Goryeosa>. However, this number was rather significant when the comparison is limited to the Biography section. One central element of this book was the differences in the evaluations of historical figures from those found in the <Goryeosa>. While Hong Yeoha criticized those who clung to power, worshipped Buddhism, and did not maintain their integrity, he positively evaluated those who displayed integrity, morality, loyalty and Confucianism; a denouement that shows the strengthening of Neo-Confucianism based moral standards. Hong introduced Kim Bodang, who had revolted against the military regime of Goryeo, as an example to be followed; meanwhile, he criticized those who had flattered the military regime. Hong restored some of the individuals who had been identified as the disloyal subjects in the <Goryeosa> to the status of loyal subjects in the Biography of Famous Subjects. He also positively described figures that had opposed the formation of the Joseon dynasty such as Jeong Mongju, Yi Saek and Gil Jae from the standpoint of integrity. In terms of the activities of people, Hong evaluated people based on criteria such as the emphasis placed on royal authority, criticism of the killing of royal subjects, advice from royal subjects, compliance with Confucian order such as the three-year mourning period, the exclusion of Buddhism, righteousness-based evaluations, criticism of those who did not maintain integrity, and affirmative attitudes toward Rejection for the other races. Hong Yeoha intended to view the history of Goryeo from the standpoint of righteousness by introducing the rites of <Spring and Autumn> to Korean history. In the description of history, Hong’s criticism involved the differentiating of the methods used to describe characters. He applied more rigid moral standards in his Biography than was the case in the Biography section of the <Goryeosa>. As such, the Biography of the <Hwichanyeosa> reflected the trend of thought during the 17th century, which featured more rigid Confucian morality than early Joseon.