習靜 宋邦祚의 삶과 詩世界 硏究 ― ‘直道而事人’의 삶의 態度를 중심으로 ―

Abstract

This study aims to explore the life and poetic world of Seupjeong Song Bang-jo (宋邦祚). Although Song Bang-jo is not widely known, he was celebrated for his upright character and exceptional literary talent as the elder uncle of Song Si-yeol (宋時烈). Accordingly, examining Song Bang-jo's life and poetry is meaningful in elucidating the lives and literary characteristics of Seoin(西人系, Westerners) literati in the early 17th century. Chapter Ⅱ examines the life of Song Bang-jo. This chapter explores the life of Song Bang-jo, a man of upright character and exceptional literary talent. He began his official career relatively late, passing the civil service examination at the age of 40 and assuming the position of Gwonji Seungmunwon Jeongja(權知承文院正字). Song Bang-jo served in official positions for approximately 12 years, with 6 years spent in central government roles, including positions such as Jeojak(著作) in the Seungmunwon, Baksa(博士), Jeonjeok(典籍) at Sungkyunkwan, and Jorang (佐郎) in the Ministry of Military Affairs(兵曹). However, his uncompromising integrity and refusal to yield to injustice led to his ostracization by the Northerners(Buk-in, 北人). As a result, he spent the subsequent 6 years holding regional posts, including Chalbang(察訪) of Gimgyodo(金郊道) and Gosando(高山道), as well as Pyeongsa (評事) in Pyeongan Province. He eventually passed away at the age of 52 at Yongcheon-gwan(龍川館), marking the end of his. Chapter Ⅲ examines Song Bang-jo's poetic world from the perspectives of his perception of reality and attitude toward life. This approach stems from the understanding that Song Bang-jo's perspective on political realities as a bureaucrat and his corresponding attitude toward life are key to understanding his poetic world. Song Bang-jo perceived the realities of his time as chaotic, akin to the turbulent Qin dynasty. Internally, he depicted his era as "a decadent age devoid of rare birds and phoenixes, inhabited instead by owls and horned owls" and as "a perilous world where people not only fail to rescue those who fall into wells but even throw stones to worsen their plight." Despite such bleak realities, Song Bang-jo consistently engaged in politics, grounded in his upright character. Even when demoted to external posts and repeatedly assigned to military roles, he did not abandon the political realm. This steadfastness reflects his adherence to the philosophy of "Jikdo i sasin"(直道而事人), meaning "serving one's ruler with a straight path of integrity," as exemplified by Liu Xiahui(柳下惠). However, Song Bang-jo's commitment to "Jikdo i sasin" did not preclude him from experiencing human struggles. As he wandered through external appointments after being ostracized by the Northerners(Buk-in, 北人), he poetically expressed his frustrations of unrealized talent(Huai caibu yu, 懷才不遇), the suffering of serving in low-ranking positions, the ensuing loneliness, and his longing for his hometown.