<백상루별곡(百祥樓別曲)>의 창작 배경과 비가(悲歌)적 성격

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the subject’s consciousness and the emotional characteristics of Baeksangru-Byeolgok (百祥樓別曲) based on the understanding of the historical context related to its creation. The Yeongwisa’s (迎慰使) task of writer Lee Hyun (李俔, ?~?), who today attracts attention as a background for the creation of Baeksangru-Byeolgok, was quite negative. The reason Lee Hyun acted as a Yeongwisa (迎慰使) was to respond to Bongwaemyeongsa (封倭明使), who was dispatched in response to the Japanese request. The problem is that Bongwaemyeongsa’s (封倭明使) dispatch is a result of Ming’s(明) coercion, despite Joseon’s opposition. In addition, Bongwaemyeongsa’s dispatch was also very problematic in contemporary Hwayiron (華夷論). These aspects can also be explained with Baeksangru-Byeolgok’s meeting of the audience’s request for a sad song (悲歌), such as Maeksuga (麥秀歌) or Ohuiga (五噫歌). This request emphasizes that the main emotional characteristics of Baeksangru-Byeolgok are of a similar nature to a sad song, and at the same time, the creation background is related to the awareness of an ideological consensus such as with Maeksuga or Ohuiga; this is a point that must be examined in order to advance the understanding of Baeksangru-Byeolgok. In this regard, Baeksangru-Byeolgok can be associated with Baeksangru's Jeyoung poetry (題詠詩), which was familiar to envoys from Ming and Joseon. Consequently, the aspect of Jeyoung poetry's rhyme, reflected in the beginning of Baeksangru-Byeolgok, can be related to the tradition of literary creation based on Baeksangru (百祥樓). However, Lee Hyun as Yeongwisa needed to prepare a song reflecting the reality of the Imjin war. Therefore, he created Baeksangru-Byeolgok based on the tradition of Baeksangru's Jeyoung poetry, not satisfied with the existing songs. Based on poetic tradition, the first half of Baeksangru-Byeolgok was presented as a beautiful image. However, this turns into a sad emotion in the latter part of Baeksangru-Byeolgok, because the disastrous situation of Joseon's appearance of Bongwaemyeongsa brought about despair for Lee Hyeon. Therefore, the image of the speaker who misses home at the end of Baeksangru-Byeolgok must be interpreted on the basis of it.