고대영시에 투영된 공간의 양면성

Dual Aspect of Space in Old English Poetry

A series of Old English poems and some fragments in major poems such as Beowulf deals with new dimension of life which is unknown to the characters in the works. Poets in Old English Poetry had a very keen sense of space, which is well proven in the use of poetic elements such as the space(hall), the concept of time and ethical morality. In particular the combination of space and time is par excellence in portraying new meaning of life, which is mainly revealed in the form of transitoriness of life shown in "the sparrow episode" of The History of English People and Church and Old English elegies. Besides, this kind of awakening to new dimension of life is also shown in "The Old Father's Lament" in Beowulf. However, the awakening to new meaning of life, which deals with the evanescence of life, seems to be quite inappropriate since the heroic poetry is solely focused on heroic idealism charged with active deeds. The banquet hall in epic poetry such as Beowulf contains special meanings since it includes both physical and moral dimensions. The central location for the comitatus society was the hall, called medusele (mead-hall), where vows of allegiance were raised and heroic ethos is formed. Hence the hall in heroic society is regarded as a symbol and a confirmation of mutual social obligation. In this context the hall functions not only as a space for entertainment but also as a place where heroic ethos is formed. Hence the collapse of the hall signifies the destruction of the heroic society. Being aware of this ethical dimension, the poet quite fittingly portrays the various aspects of heroic society. However, the poet intends to extend the function of the hall to the level of evoking the sense of transitoriness of life far beyond the dimension of heroic idealism. In this course the hall transforms from the place charged with heroic spirit to the space of emptiness, signifying the collapse of comitatus. Being introduced to this drastically changed hall the audience is to experience the new meaning of life.