『코머스』에 나타난 밀턴의 정치시학 = Milton`s Political Poetics in Comus

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Comus was published in 1637, three years after its performance as masque. As a literary work independent of performance, it has provoked various responses and controversies from the critics. The initial title of the masque was A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634, though it has been generally passed by the name of Comus. Taking into account the poet's intentions implied in its initial name, we cannot deny that the masque was intended to be read as masque rather than any other genre. In its preferences for long dialogues and songs rather than the gorgeous clothes and attractive stage show employed by the traditional masque, however, Comus as masque has its unique generic characteristics, exhibiting "the civilizing power of poetry and music."
Thematically, Comus also deviates from the traditional masque, since the theme of chastity is inappropriate to the traditional court masque, which more often than not provides entertainment and flattery for the court. Its Puritan theme reveals the religious and political conflicts between royalists and puritans. Being never intended by Milton to be a court masque, Comus attacks the court culture by emphasizing inward merit rather than earthly greatness. So, Milton's Lady attacks the court against its lack of "courtesie," while she praises the country sheds for their simple courtesy. Moreover, it argues for the "greater economic equality," which can be achieved by the power of chastity. In conclusion, Milton's revolutionary political ideas led him to revise his poetics of the masque, producing a union of art and politics.