발미끼(Vālmīki)『라마야나』(Rāmāyaṇa)와 태국『라마끼엔』(Ramakien)의 비교 연구

Abstract

This paper examines literary significance and importance of Indian epic 『Rāmāyaṇa』which is known as written by Vālmīki and Thailand’s 『Ramakien』. While considering two epic poems, we analyzed and compared differences in characters, plot and episodes. During this process, we found out that even at Thailand the story of 『Ramakien』 was added, refined, reconstituted and become quite different from VR. In the case of main character at the 『Ramakien』 gives considerably different meaning to the personality and characteristic of the VR’s character. Compared to the VR, 『Ramakien』 has different interpretation especially about Rāma(Phra Ram), Hanumān(Hanuman), Rāvaṇa(Thotsakan) and those features are substantially changed. These changes result from Thailand’s history, environment, socio-cultural attitude and Rama Ⅰ’s political writing intention. As Indian’s folk epic, in the VR the main character emerged as a folk hero and unreal and supernatural behaviors are naturally recognized, whereas in Thailand Phra Ram is considered as normal person that everyone can easily empathize. Therefore, in VR character’s features are mainly classified as transcendental human beings and ordinary people. On the other hand in 『Ramakien』, they don’t clearly distinguishes human being into good and evil, justice and injustice and right and wrong. Thus, personality of characters in the 『Ramakien』 is more simple, realistic and humane than the VR. Although 『Ramakien』 is close to the Southern part of India, many stories about VR are transformed. In terms of stories are composed of the cause-and-effect relationship, 『Ramakien』 perfectly describes Rama’s story from beginning to end through inserting a new story into the original story. About several events and wars which happened after Sīta’s kidnaping, VR argued that in terms of Hinduism values and ethics, it is their responsibility to do one’s family and social duty. But 『Ramakien』puts more stress on heroic epics which provides aesthetic pleasure and narrative topics. Unlike VR 『Ramakien』 excludes Hinduism values and ethics at the household and individual. Instead, what strategies are mobilized or which dreadful weapons are used is emphasized in the 『Ramakien』. In this way, denying Hinduism values about personal and social value of life in the 『Ramakien』 is well described. Even though the motif of the story is the same, they changed method of organizing and created their own inherent art and culture by inserting transformed or added stories like the reason of Sīta’s banishment, story about Sīta and two sons, reconciliation with Sita and Rama, story of Rāvaṇa (Thotsakan)’s previous life, birth of the Sīta, Benjakai story and Maiyarap story.