교화와 설득을 통한 치유와 회복의 힘: 『페리클레스』를 중심으로

The Restoration of Identity through Edification and Persuasion in Shakespeare`s Pericles

Shakespeare`s Pericles is categorized as a romance play along with Cymbeline, The Winter`s Tale and The Tempest because they share similarities in theme, plot and storyline. These works are all variations using elements such as adventure and wandering, separation and reunion, marvelous visions, and the fusion of comic and tragic aspects in each work. This article purposes to explore the generic features of Shakespeare`s romance plays and study the representation of female figures in Pericles. It is certain that female figures such as the daughter of Antiochus, Thaisa, and Marina have significant effects on Pericles` journey. When he loses his identities as a father and ruler of Tyre through his repeated sufferings, female characters help him retrieve them. While Shakespeare deliberatively portrays Pericles as a vulnerable person with patience in front of his destiny, he inspires the female characters with progressiveness and spirit of challenge. It is very important to examine the different aspects of male and female figures represented in the play to understand this work because these features are not expected to be seen as general characteristics for male and female figures in Renaissance where Shakespeare lived. Especially, Marina, the only daughter and heiress of Pericles, has active energies to save herself from adversities and give vigor to his father`s life full of the images of seclusion and escape. With her own persuasive power, she edifies, consoles, and exhorts male figures to live better lives. And finally, she leads this play to be converted from tragedy to comedy. Thus, it seems that the relationship between men and women generally accepted in Renaissance is modified in a roundabout way to find the new model of male and female befitting to a new era by endowing female figures with abilities to lead this play and describe their mature attitude to life.