장자의 「양생주(養生主)」와 셰익스피어의 인물: 리어 왕과 프로스페로를 중심으로

Abstract

This essay is a comparative analysis of the two heroes of King Lear and The Tempest on the basis of Chuang Tzu’s ‘The Essence of Inspiring Life.’ Of the precious lessons of ‘The Essence of Inspiring Life,’ in particular, the main theme of a life in accordance with nature is chosen as a method to analyze both the heroes. This essay focuses upon the two heroes’ attitudes toward nature in order to induce an answer to the question, “Why do they have different endings?”In the first place, Lear is argued as a hero against nature though he seems betrayed by his two unnatural daughters. The reason is that he dares to divide his kingship which has no meaning when it is broken into two as an egg and deserts his own daughter Cordelia for his own good. This essay claims that these two decisions are improper because they are against nature. On the other hand, this essay estimates Prospero as a hero in accordance with nature even though he uses a magic to recover his lost dukeship. To support this argument, the fact that he ultimately chooses forgiveness instead of revenge and gives up his magic staff and book is mentioned. In addition, his final attitude toward Caliban who plots to take his life functions as an essential point to prove his life conforming to nature because he accepts Caliban’s dark side as a part of his. In conclusion, this essay argues that the two plays deal with a life conforming to nature in the spite of the fact that they have different endings and Lear and Prospero can be analogized by a different perspective with the help of Chuang Tzu’s thought.