셰익스피어 로맨스 극에 나타난 여성인물의 역동성

Abstract

This dissertation examines the dynamics of female characters in Shakespeare’s last three plays: Pericles, Cymbeline, and The Winter’s Tale. These plays are categorized as romance since they repeatedly use the same motifs, such as adventures and wandering, separation and reunion, marvelous visions, and the fusion of comic and tragic aspects. In addition, they share similarities in themes, plots, and storylines. The society represented in Shakespeare’s romances is an androcentric society. His romances reveal the limit and the absurdity of male-centered societies through the contrast between the immaturity of his male characters and the dignity of his female characters. These female figures possess the energy to overcome adversity and hardships and to help male figures become symbolically reborn and recover their identities. This energy is represented as the dynamics of the female characters in Shakespeare’s romances. The dynamics of his female protagonists are portrayed in several ways in each play. In Pericles, Marina embodies the dynamics with her persuasive power. Her energy saves herself from adversity and gives vigor to her father’s life. In Cymbeline, this energy is realized through Imogen’s will to manage her own life by herself. She is the epitome of forgiveness and reconciliation in Shakespeare’s romances. Lastly, in The Winter’s Tale, Hermione’s life force, which is passed on to her daughter, materializes her dynamic energy. In Shakespeare’s romances, the female protagonists taking the leading role in his storylines are more focused than his male characters. In addition, the dynamics of female characters are transmitted from generation to generation. Therefore, it can be agreed that Shakespeare is acknowledging through these plays that the history of women is as important as that of men.