코메디아 델 아르테(Commedia dell’Arte)와 봉산탈춤의 사회적 기능에 관한 연구

Abstract

Commedia dell?rte of Italy and Bong-san mask dance of Cho-sun showed considerable similarity despite their different culture and background of times. In those performances in which the ruled class of society became the subject, we could find the social function of dance art from the themes, characters, and ways of expression of those mask dances.In summary, the social functions of Commedia dell?rte and Bong-san mask dance were as in the following: First, we could find their function of transferring meaning and communication. The physical action and movement of performers could transfer some meaning in non-verbal communication based on their masks, clothes, and behavior or movement of typical characters, and the stage of such improvised performances became the field of communication between performers and spectators. Second, their function was to criticize their society through satire and humor. In terms of the features of mask dance, performers could express critical statements and satiric behavior as well as remark freely while hiding their identity. This made the participants of the performance have a sense of solidarity and resolve conflicts between classes. Lastly, those performances made it possible to maintain social stability and the existence of the ruling class by resolving discontents and suppression of the ruled class with their function of resolving social conflicts and harmonizing classes one another.Through this study, it was proven that dance art was closely related to social and political circumstances of its time and it reflected the significance of social and political circumstances of the time when such a performance was made along with communication with spectators.