The Characterization and Author's Consciousness of Okhwangibong

<옥환기봉>의 인물 형상과 작가의식

This paper aims at investigating the characterization and author's consciousness of Okhwangibong written in about 18th century in Korea. Okhwangibong deals with the historical event in the Later Han of ancient China, that is to say the Empress Gwak's banishment and the royal harem Eum's accession to the queen consort. The author of this work created the focal characters freshly. Particularly Gwak is characterized as the vivid woman who desires the Emperor Kwangmu's love, reproaches his negative attitude toward her wants, and feels pains by reason of his affection to Eum. The author intended to justify Eum's accession to the queen consort through emphasizing Providence and her virtue. But the author's intention could not be realized fully. Because what is called Providence was lost persuasive power, and Gwak was characterized very affirmatively. Therefore it can be said that this work represents Gwak's trials and pains caused by Kwangmu. And the discord of the author's intent and the real meaning of the work occurred the dispute about affection and faithfulness between man and wife in following novels. Consequently the historical meaning of Okhwangibong in Korean Novel can be founded in successful characterization and occurring the dispute in following novels.