고대 러시아 문학에 나타난 여성 형상 연구

Abstract

This study categorizes and analyzes images of women in the literary works from old Russian literature where female characters play important roles. Gender, having been divided binarily, actually was collapsing its boundary already in old Russian literature. The fact that female characters played important roles in male-centered society shows the open attitude of that society. It has an important meaning not only in literature but also from social perspective in that this open attitude is what constitutes the base for open society. This study analyzes five literary works from old Russian literature, ranging from 11th centuary to 17th centurary, where women play important roles. In "The Virgin Mary's Visit to the Hell", written in 12th centuary, the Virgin Mary appears as typical image, a deeply religious saint and mother. On the other hand, Juliania, appearing at a later period, is described a realistic saint who lives an ordinary life before dying as a saint. Thus, the image of women in early old Russian literature, escaping the sacred image, has evolved into a more secular image. Later, in 1661, in the story of Solomonia, the crazy wife, a woman of stanic image makes appearance. This story, along with the story of Meluzina, who becomes half human and half snake every Saturday for disobeying her father, shows that the image of women in old literature has developed in various aspects. Same can be said about "Judif" who appears as patriotic image. She shows her patriotic image as good as traditionally male stereotype, for example by using her beauty only to save her country. It may be that she is the strongest and traditionally masculine image in old Russian literature. Having been described mostly dependent on men, women in old Russian literature evolved into independent, autonomous female images. This change is noteworthy, for it shows how the cognition on women shared by the contemporaries has changed