녹족부인 서사에 나타난 신화적 상상력 연구 -‘반인반수’를 중심으로-

Abstract

Myth was born to understand the world through imaginative thinking by ancient people who did not have scientific recognition on natural phenomena and reasoning of all the beings. Accordingly, it was natural that they created existence or phenomenon which could not be experienced. Therianthropy was born by such concept of myth. So, therianthropy is very important narrative element in role as a figure in the midst of myth or in function of motif. Story of Lady Nokjok(鹿足婦人) embodies prototype thinking of the ancient people. Lady Nokjok would be a wipe and a mother with animality of deer, and also an ancestor who is holy and proud to descendants. As she would be remembered as a rearer, assistant, and a great woman who saved a nation in disarrangement, symbol of deer representing Lady Nokjok is an element of animal that provides intimacy and awe. Thus, narrative of Lady Nokjok clearly discloses ancient concept of animal which our nation had through a symbol of deer. This shows in what relationship animal exists in the midst of group consciousness of our nation. This is also a trace of lost deer totem. Therianthropy frequently appears in myths of China or Japan but it appears very limitedly in our myth though in same East Asia cultural circle. In the situation, Lady Nokjok appears in unique existence of therianthropy. Connection of humanity and brutality in Lady Nokjok is not contemporary but permanent so that Lady Nokjok is an existence of therianthropy. Her brutality is not an attribute which should be removed like Yuhwa(柳花) and Alyeong(閼英). But this is an attribute including high, noble rank and extraordinary capability. Deer symbolized in therianthropy for Lady Nokjok is very rare animal in transformation motif of our tale. Such characters that therianthropy of Lady with deer feet narrative broaden and deepen domain of existence of therianthropy that is rare in our tale. As a source of mythical imagination, therianthropy is essential element to assure construction and meaning of narrative providing high engagement in cinema, TV drama etc. which are popular culture contents with high influence today. It is expected that mythical imagination evoked through Lady with deer feet can continuously expand value of national narrative.