아리엘 도르프만의 희곡 『죽음과 소녀』와 『연옥』에 나타난 메데이아 신화의 해체적 활용에 관한 연구

초록

This study examines the deconstructive utilization of the Medea myth in Ariel Dorfman's plays 『Death and the Maiden』 and 『Purgatorio』. Both works are thematically connected through trauma and healing, addressing inner conflicts of revenge and forgiveness, as well as transformational relationships. Through the lens of the Medea myth, this research analyzes how mythic archetypes are reinterpreted and reconstructed in contemporary drama, and what values are created through con- tinuous deconstructive application. Based on textual analysis and literature review, this study com- pares the narratives, characters, dialogues, and stage directions of the original Medea myth, Euripides' 『Medea』, and Dorfman's two works to examine thematic evolution. Mythic deconstruction transcends structural interpretation of texts, enabling dialogue between past and present while pre- senting multi-layered interpretive possibilities. The archetypal narrative of personal betrayal and re- venge is redefined in contemporary contexts, expanding into communal revenge narratives of social ethics and conflict, which then evolve into themes of forgiveness, healing, and the possibility of reconciliation. This demonstrates that myth remains a valid interpretive framework for understanding contemporary humanity and society. The study thus examines the continuity of mythic imagination and its contemporary meaning, value, and application. The analysis was limited to Dorfman's two works, which presents limitations in terms of not encompassing universality and diversity. Nevertheless, this study holds significance in viewing Dorfman's works, which have been primarily in- terpreted through political and historical allegory, from a new perspective through mythic archetypal analysis. Building upon this research, it is hoped that in-depth discussions will be conducted on how myth can contribute to the formation of ethics, trauma healing, and future-oriented values in con- temporary society within the arts.

키워드