ISSN : 1226-4946(Print)
ISSN : 2288-5412(Online)
ISSN : 2288-5412(Online)
The Yeats Journal of Korea Vol.21 pp.117-135
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14354/yjk.2004.21.117
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14354/yjk.2004.21.117
“Tragic Joy” in “Lapis Lazuli” and Buddhism
Abstract
It is well-known that Yeats had a very deep interest in the Oriental Thoughtsthroughout his life. In this paper, the focus is laid on his interest in Buddhism.Many of his friends and teachers, such as George Russel, Edward Dowden, MadameBlavatsky, Shri Purohit and Mohini Chatterjee introduced Buddhism to him and theirfriendship were lifelong.
This paper examines the relationship between “Tragic Joy” in his poem “LapisLazuli” and Buddhism. In a letter to Dorothy Wellesley, Yeats confessed that as theeast has its solution, the westerners must raise the heroic cry. His confessionimplies his object is oriental solution or the solution in the viewpoint of the unionof oriental thoughts and occidental thoughts.
The main theme of the poem, “Lapis Lazuli” is tragic joy. The characterscreated by artists aren’t afraid of death and play their roles to the end.Accomplishing their roles, they feel joy, though they know their roles are not realityand reality itself is empty.
This attitude isn’t different from that of Buddhism. Buddhism sees that theReality itself is empty. Though artists realize nothing can last forever, they createartifacts and feel joy in repeated creation.
It is certain that Yeats believes that the source of all the existing things is themind. All the things in the world are reflection of the mind and emptiness itself.To realize this truth is tragic but to create again is a joy.
This paper examines the relationship between “Tragic Joy” in his poem “LapisLazuli” and Buddhism. In a letter to Dorothy Wellesley, Yeats confessed that as theeast has its solution, the westerners must raise the heroic cry. His confessionimplies his object is oriental solution or the solution in the viewpoint of the unionof oriental thoughts and occidental thoughts.
The main theme of the poem, “Lapis Lazuli” is tragic joy. The characterscreated by artists aren’t afraid of death and play their roles to the end.Accomplishing their roles, they feel joy, though they know their roles are not realityand reality itself is empty.
This attitude isn’t different from that of Buddhism. Buddhism sees that theReality itself is empty. Though artists realize nothing can last forever, they createartifacts and feel joy in repeated creation.
It is certain that Yeats believes that the source of all the existing things is themind. All the things in the world are reflection of the mind and emptiness itself.To realize this truth is tragic but to create again is a joy.
「청금석 부조」의 “비극적 환희”와 불교
초록
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