Korean History and Culture Seminar for American Educators Handbook 2017 NKS Seminar-Handbook-Final with Daniel | Page 75

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Dr. Lucy Park
University of Illinois
Sejong Academy
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First line
}
◦ Introduces or states theme
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Second line
◦ Expands or develops theme in equal length and
power
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Third line
◦ Twist or surprise at the beginning of the last line
acts as a counter-theme before the rest of the line
completes the poem
pronounced SHEE-jo
The sijo is a traditional three-line
Korean poetic form
Typically exploring cosmological,
metaphysical, or pastoral themes.
Organized both technically and
thematically by line and syllable count.
The basic standard:
◦ First line
◦ Second line 3
3 4
4 4 (or 3)
4 (or 3) 4
4
◦ Third line 3 5 4 3
Variants which occur:
◦ First line
◦ Second line 2-5
1-5 3-6
3-6 2-5
2-5 4-6
4-6
◦ Third line 3 5-9 4-5 3-4
From “Bamboo Grove“ by Richard Rutt
Though this body die and die,
it may die a hundred times,
my white bones become but dust,
what’s called soul exist or
not:
for my lord, no part of this red heart
would ever change. How could it?
이 몸이 죽고 죽어 일 백 번 고쳐 죽어
백골이 진토되어 넋이라도 있고 없고
임 향한 일편단심이야 가실 줄이 있으랴
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Cosmological or metaphysical themes
Description of nature
Love songs
Humor
Political statements
Instructional
I momi chuk-go chugô ilpaekbôn kochyô chugô 3 4 3 4
Paekgori chint’o toeyô nôksirado ittgo ôpko 3 4 4 4
Im hyanghan ilp’yôn tanshim iya kashil churi issûrya 3 6 4 3
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