• Journal of Korean Classical Literature and Education
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• no.39
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• pp.99-135
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• 2018

This study aims at examining the discussions of Chilgeojiak, meaning seven vices that can be valid causes of divorce, and the discourse on a married couple shown in the deposal of Empress Kwak in Okhwangibong. The study first analyzes the relationship between the incidents of expelling wives from homes in the Joseon Dynasty Era and the seven vices. The divorce of Yi Mi and Shin Taeyeong and the deposal of Queen Yun by King Seongjong show that the standards of judgement in most of the seven vices are unclear or controversial. In Okhwangibong, the arguments about Chilgeojiak are examined through the form of a novel with the expulsion of Empress Kwak. Empress Kwak was deposed by her husband, Emperor Kwangmu, due to jealousy and evil deeds. However, she was devoted to her parents-in-law, bore sons, and above all, she was the emperor's first wife and had gone through hard times and supported her husband. Considering these circumstances, her deposal is not quite agreeable. Readers have the same question, and this has become a cause of the creation of a series. The reasons for Empress Kwak's jealousy lie in Okhwan-a jade ring, the existence of Empress Eum, and the partial love of Emperor Kwangmu. That is, it is not Empress Kwak's fault. Additionally, unrealistic elements involved in Empress Kwak's evil deeds and the story structure focused on her work as factors that make readers support Empress Kwak. Therefore, Okhwangibong displays the realities regarding the discourse of husbands and wives of the era rather than the love in Okhwan, the jade ring, between Emperor Kwangmu and Empress Eum. Such understanding continues to exist in the following series and is a valid problem in the present time.