This paper is to examine how the life and inner consciousness of Yun, Seon-geo were through the deep study of his travel poetry, by categorizing his travel poetry largely into three different phases such as the form of anguish, revelation of his own f...
This paper is to examine how the life and inner consciousness of Yun, Seon-geo were through the deep study of his travel poetry, by categorizing his travel poetry largely into three different phases such as the form of anguish, revelation of his own free will and the realization of philosophical ripeness according to the written periods of his works and then by shedding light on the importance of his travel poetry in the poet literature.
First, some of his earlier works in terms of the form of anguish are the travel poetry created for about ten years right after the war called Qing Invasion of Joseon occured in 1636; it can be said that they were figurative expressions of the poet’s self-reflection and willingness to refresh himself, using a metaphor for the scenery features of the nature. As Yun, Seon-geo spent his whole life on studying Taoism as an scholar who did not become a high official and committed himself fostering younger generation, he expressed his deep sentiments and feelings in his poetry for those who led a similar life of his own. In his poems that described Seowon, a lecture hall for Confucianist services, or the gazebos on landscape in honor of the old sages, he wanted to model himself after their integrity, faithfulness, studies and virtuous conduct.
Second, in the phase of the revelation of his free will, his poems pictured the excitements that he himself felt at the venues of social exchanges with his friends, which played the roles of both pursuit of study and excursion. Through those travel poetry reciting Hwangsan Seowon, Goransa Temple, Donghaksa Temple, and Bokrim-dong in Gyeryongsan Mountain, the way of living and entertainment among the eminent scholars from the Giho regions in the 17th century could be visualized.
Third, the realization of philosophical ripeness covers the poems written after his trip to the great nature, Geumgangsan and Kwandong area. Through Padonggihaeng, Yun, Seon-geo took a scenic sightseeing which purified his minds, by washing off the dust and dirt in the secularized world and by figuring out the principles of all things in the universe. Moreover, he showed his tour pattern with focusing on his own interests, not just simply for the sightseeing purpose and also demonstrated the characteristic aspect of Taoist, valuing the loyalty and fidelity as a Giho Confucianist and cultivating the great sprit based on his scholarly pursuits.
The travel poetry of Yun, Seon-geo expresses his psychological changes which vary from the anguish developed as poetic imagery of shame, self-reflection and life orientation, to the revelation of his free will by the scenic excitements and academic activities, even further, to the realization of philosophical ripeness through the pleasant outings in the great nature.
This study looks into the aims and values in life of the poet Yun, the tour culture in some picturesque nature including the Geumgangsan, study activities and poetry gathering of scholars from Giho regions in the 17th century. Yun, Seon-geo shaped up the philosophical ripeness inside of the human being with the recovering and accomplishing personalities through his poetic literature.