『겨울 이야기』에 나타난 로맨스를 구성하는 교환의 법칙과 주체의 재구성

Abstract

Exchange does not signify only economic exchange. The law of exchange applies also to human relations. When the exchange relations between characters are balanced, the relations become mutual and equal. Power and hierarchy are mediated through the process of exchange or ‘give and take’ between people. When the relations of exchange are balanced, The Winter’s Tale becomes a romance. But when the relations of exchange are out of balance, then it becomes a tragedy, which means that the law of exchange is an important factor in the degree to which The Winter’s Tale can be read as a romance. The relationship between Leontes and Polixenes is a good example of an imbalance in the relations of exchange between two characters. Leontes is only giving, while Polixenes is only taking. That their relations are hierarchical and not mutual hurts both. Leontes, who is giving all the time, has been negligent about getting, which leads to Leontes’ dissatisfaction and wrong judgement and to Polixenes’ escape. But the relationship between Hermione and Leontes shown at the end of the play is one of balanced exchange. They have undergone changes in their identities, responded to the changes in characteristics of the other party and communicated with each other. Therefore, the play becomes a romance at the end, veering away from tragic aspects which formed the beginning and middle phases. The main reason that the play becomes a romance is that equal, mutual and interactive and exchange relations is constituted between Hermione and Leontes. Furthermore, Hermione and Leontes refashions themselves because their exchange relations cause changes in their characters.