霍光 故事의 정치적 활용 양상 一考－中宗反正을 전후한 시기를 중심으로－

Abstract

This thesis tried to find out the performativity of evaluating and citing Huoguang(霍光), the ancient historical Chinese figure, in the political context of the Jungjong-banjeong(中宗反正) in Joseon. Even though Huoguang had been mainly regarded as a powerful coutier, the coup re-defined him as a great vassal of merit by those who played major part in dethroning the former king, in the purpose of creating a narrative in which what they did is just as same as what Huoguang did in the history. In this context, Huoguang was identified with the meritorious retainer of Jungjong(中宗). On the other side, however, there were some officials who tried to attack those meritorious retainers by adopting Huoguang narrative. They also approved the analogy of Huoguang and the coup leaders, but at the same time, they targeted on some of the vassals insisting they had no contribution for the honor and had no similarities with the Chinese hero. We can see here that even when a historical event is called for justifying certain political situation on the basis of somewhat similar outlook, the rhetorical purpose can be always diverse according to different perspectives regarding the problematic situation. Even when Huoguang was constantly regarded as the examplary model of dethrowning of evil king by both sides of the court, some tried to hide their corruption in the glorious name of Huoguang, while others pointed out the differences of Huoguang and them to reveal their moral weakness. What is more, the result of the continuous controversies on who is the real contributor like Huoguang turned out to be the consolidation of kingship of Jungjong, because Jungjong should be always represented as a great king who ended the evil king’s reign in the structure of the rhetoric. The frame of regarding the coup as the restoration of Joseon dynasty was strengthen, while the leading subjects of the event lost their political influence after 10 years, as the name of Jungjong, the Restorer, shows.