西堂 李德壽의 東遊 체험과 詩的 形象化

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the aspect of Seodang Lee Deok-su's poetic worlds through his experience of eastern province journey and his poetic imagery. Seodang leaved a numer of poems during his journey of Geumgang Mountain and other areas of Gwandong province over 1714 and 1724. His first journey took place in 1713 at a time when he was disappointed after failing to hold a government post for three years even after passing the state examination, and his second journey was in 1724 when he was demoted to the head of Ganseong-gun, Gangwon province 1723. These two journey of Seodang were linked to his political frustration. During his journey, Seodang created 60 poems with 51 titles, of which Chileonjeolgu accounts for about 57% with 34 poems. His preference for Chileonjeolgu is consistent with the highest distribution of 255 among the 627 poems with 454 titles in Seodangsajae. Through this, it could be seen that Seodang preferred Chileonjeolgu in writing poetry. The shape of poem created at the time of journey appears as "the pursuit of aloof life and travel to utopia of hermit", "the will of finding noted tourist attraction and excitement of journey" and "embracement and positive view to Taoism and Buddhism." Although political frustration served as an opportunity for his journey, there are no poems that expressed depression or resentment blaming the world. Rather, he pursued a detached life that was not bound by the world, actively visited the superb view sights, and enjoyed the excitement of his journey. In addition, although he was a Neo-Confucian scholar, his wide range of studies encompassing Taoism and Buddhism enabled him to expose his embracement and positive view to Taoism and Buddhism.